A win against Newcastle at the weekend would be Liverpool's 26th of the season in the Premier League and would be a new club record. Brendan Rodgers deserves huge praise whether or not the title returns
Friday 9 May 2014 14:35, UK
When the dust settles on this closing weekend of a quite brilliant Premier League season, whether champions or not, it will be recognised Liverpool have experienced a superb campaign.
The man behind this incredibly positive and widely unpredicted 2013/14 has been the club’s boss, Brendan Rodgers, and, regardless of the outcome on Sunday, he should be considered a brilliant manager for his achievements.
Liverpool may fall agonisingly short of Manchester City in their pursuit of a first title since 1990 but, in just his second season since arriving at Anfield from Swansea City, Rodgers has overseen at least a 20-point swing on his debut campaign as his squad have gone from seventh to the top three, at the least, and a place back in the UEFA Champions League.
Not only that but the favourite for the Manager of the Year awards, who at the age of only 41 has been taking on far more experienced dugout rivals, has achieved this in an on-field style which has captured the imagination around the world from football fans to legendary players.
Rodgers may be criticised by some and the manner in which Liverpool have so far failed to get over the line to win the league will be a disappointment of mammoth proportions which has come as a consequence of self-destructive defensive frailties.
But, ahead of Sunday’s final game of the season against Newcastle United at Anfield when Liverpool will hope City lose to West Ham United, the positives of the campaign still far outweigh the negatives and look set to earn Rodgers a new contract.
Rodgers’ people skills have been a main factor in his success at Liverpool. His squad regularly speak of the confidence they have gained from their manager’s backing and the evidence is on the field; another win against Newcastle would be their 26th of the season and a new club record in the Premier League.
Captain Steven Gerrard has proclaimed Rodgers’ one-on-one management as “the best I have known” while Raheem Sterling, having famously rankled his boss in their first pre-season together in 2012, has said: “He has helped me a lot; not just with my footballing game but if I need someone to talk to about off the field.”
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp recognises as much, as he says: “Brendan Rodgers deserves plaudits; he has done a great job. When he first arrived at Liverpool I was not sure how he would do. Yes, he was a great talker but could he walk the walk? Well, this season he has. They are playing good football and it seems the players absolutely love him.
“I am pleased he is getting a new contract, because if I was at Barcelona or any big club, he would be right on my radar, because of the football Liverpool play under him, he gives youth an opportunity, the players adore him and he is young. He ticks all the boxes.”
Sterling is a prime example of how Rodgers’ man-management has developed the career of a young talent who might have been failing to fulfil potential. The forward is only 19 years old and had largely been written off last summer but he has been extremely influential this season with nine goals and five assists in the league. Jon Flanagan, although he still has his faults as a player who is dribbled past on average more times by an opponent than any other defender in the league, is another young player who has benefited from Rodgers.
Jordan Henderson is yet one more model for Rodgers. It appeared the midfielder was set to leave for Fulham last season after some disappointing form from a player who had been signed in the Kenny Dalglish era from Sunderland in a multi-million pound deal. But given more license under Rodgers, particularly this season, he had been an ever present before his red card against Manchester City in April, delivering four goals, seven assists and remarkable fitness. Henderson’s development under Rodgers is perhaps best displayed in his absence by Liverpool having scrapped past Norwich City, lost to Chelsea and blown a three-goal lead in a shocking draw with Crystal Palace which could cost them the title.
Rodgers, though, is not all about one-on-one management and his desire to build an ethos of togetherness has also been shown throughout the season. This was the case prior to that win over City when he asked certain players to arrange a day of “social bonding” which saw the squad visit a golf resort and spa. It was a team-building exercise and it worked.
The decision to employ sports psychologist Dr Steve Peters, the man credited with revolutionising British cycling, has already been much publicised and credited in developing the mind-set of the Liverpool squad but it can again also not be ignored given it has seemingly been integral in Rodgers’ planning.
It is no secret Liverpool have not stuck to one set formation this season but opponents have still found it extremely difficult to stop given the clever ways in which Rodgers has shuffled his squad for different games and teams throughout 2013/14.
Rodgers’ flexible formations have come through hard work on the training field, helped by no midweek distractions in Europe, and developing and drilling this into the adaptability of players in different positions. This is demonstrated below by Liverpool’s varying line-ups in games at Sunderland, at home to Arsenal, and away against Manchester United throughout the season.
These formations have always been focused on attack, the speed of these attacks – whether at home or away, and trying to ensure Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez can play closely together. The influence of Sturridge and Suarez, and Rodgers bringing the best out of the pair, can obviously not be understated.
For the first time in 50 years, Liverpool have two strikers who have both scored 20 or more league goals and that is no coincidence. Indeed, Suarez has equalled the record number of 31 goals in the 20-team era of the Premier League, despite missing the first five games of the season, and is only the second player to reach that total without a single penalty.
Meanwhile, Sturridge has an average of 0.74 goals per top-flight game in the league at Liverpool which is better than any player in Premier League history at the club. It seems incredible now that there was debate about how Sturridge and Suarez would play in the same team. They are fantastic players but the methods Rodgers has utilised - tweaking formations - to nurture even greater levels of performance have been inspired.
The diamond midfield formation, among the examples above as used in the 3-0 win over United, proved incredibly effective in this process in providing the speed of Liverpool’s attacks, with either Sterling or Philippe Coutinho playing at the tip of the four, and giving the ammunition for Sturridge and Suarez. Captain Gerrard's reinvention as the deep-sitting midfielder, resulting in the England captain having his best passing accuracy (86 per cent) in the Premier League since Opta records began in 2003, at the base of the diamond was then also a masterstroke. Although not an original formation, it has again been wonderfully refreshing to watch and once more it is credit to Rodgers.
Of course, the counter argument is that frequent changes in formations and personnel have cost Liverpool defensively in conceding 49 goals, almost double the total of Chelsea, with one game still to play. Liverpool's narrow formations have left them defenisvely exposed in wide areas and, if they do not win the title, which seems likely, the defence is to blame.
Redknapp again says: "Liverpool will be hurting. Yes, they have done so well this season and performed well above everyone's expectations - but, to have come so close, to miss out by two points will be a painful blow."
But Rodgers’ creative thinking in outfoxing opposition defences with his flexible, attacking formations is a reason why Liverpool have scored 48 away league goals this season, more than any other team in Premier League history. Liverpool also need just one more goal to become only the third team to net 100 or more times in a season and Rodgers' attacking mentality is why they are so close.
Rodgers has also done superbly in getting Liverpool’s fans on his side. This comes as an obvious consequence of a successful team but he has also done very well in terms of PR.
From restoring Liverpool’s red goal nets and original ‘This is Anfield’ plaque upon his initial arrival almost two years ago to now saying the right thing in press conferences, Rodgers has played all his cards correctly.
Rodgers always wanted to return Anfield to a ‘fortress’ and he has partly succeeded in dropping just eight points so far this season. He recently said: “It is our ground again now. Our changing rooms, our grass, our supporters. And it is our ball, so own the thing." It is what fans like to hear and Rodgers is very good at offering those soundbites.
He has also been a fine spokesperson for the club as far as his employers would be concerned. From the manner in which Rodgers dealt with Suarez’s attempt to leave Liverpool last summer to the way he has refused to be drawn into any ‘mind games’ in the Premier League race for the title, it has been an excellent season for Rodgers and there can be few complaints.
The destiny of this season's Premier League title will be decided LIVE on Sky Sports this Sunday – just one piece of drama playing out on a wonderful weekend of sport. Add in the Spanish Grand Prix, the Sky Bet Football League play-offs, the Players Championship, La Liga title race and more and Sky Sports is the only place to be. You can upgrade to Sky Sports or buy a day pass through NOW TV to watch all this fantastic live action.
