It’s taken me a while to produce this article as I wanted to really collect my thoughts rather than jumping head first into a job, that although looks appealing on paper, might be more difficult than first imagined.
So as Liverpool wave goodbye to a Liverpool legend with an impressive résumé they replace him with a man who is without a trophy on his CV. Some would argue that a playoff final victory would constitute a trophy, but I struggle to recognise a 3 match tournament to finish 3rd as a glowing achievement like the FA Cup or Premier League title.
So whilst Rogers’ trophy room achievements haven’t necessarily been celebrated, it’s his onfield antics that earned the Swansea squad the reputation of ‘Poor Man’s Barcelona’. Moving from poor man to rich man, Rogers will enjoy the luxury of the financial banking of Fenway Sports Group. With that said, Rogers’ hasn’t made too many of his interests public.
One thing to look out for is the ever improving Danny Graham who could be considered unlucky not to sneak into the England squad. Contrary to common belief though, Rogers had not managed Danny Graham prior to his time at Swansea. Though the thought of Graham playing alongside Carroll does sound delicious.
It was not that long ago that Rogers was planning on bringing on board Gylfi Sigurdsson to Swansea. Now he’s continuing the chase to get hold of him in a Liverpool shirt and will have to fend off offers from Tottenham to do so.
The main issue with this appointment isn’t in the signings it’s in the finite points’ tally that Rogers has accumulated. To see this, we must go back to the Liverpool App.
Rogers’ first season as a manager took place at Vicarage Road where he was thought to have brought success in a 13th placed finish. This was achieved with a large dive into the loan market and a change of philosophy from the Northern Irishman where he confessed that the side may have to start winning ugly as they fought perilously close to relegation places. It was at this time, around the start of the New Year, that they were thumped by his next club Reading by 4 goals to nil.
After turning things around and ‘winning ugly’ Watford moved up from 21st position to finish 13th with Jobi McAnuff scoring on the last day helping Watford to a win over Derby County. Rogers, at this time, had the belief that he understood the Championship and moved onto Reading where he took Watford’s Jobi McAnuff with him.
Rogers’ time at Reading is considered a blip in his record as again he took a side to 21st position in the league table, but on this occasion did not have the backing of the board to take some time to turn it around. And it is for moments like this that you must question the patience of the Fenway Sports Group on their willingness to keep hold of an untested manager. Kenny Dalglish had a history behind him and love and support from the Liverpool faithless. Watford didn’t have a better offer on the table and plodded along as Rogers’ took them to the brink of relegation. Reading didn’t like looking up the league table and waved farewell to his services.
Rogers does not have long at Liverpool and a single loss away to Everton could seal his fate as early as November. Looking at Rogers’ history it’s difficult to see where this strange appointment came from. He’s been a manager for 4 football seasons averaging a 12th place finish. In a results based industry it’s difficult to use style of play as an adequate argument.
Rogers played with a midfield six to keep the ball away from Wolverhampton Wanderers and went 4-1 up within half an hour of football. However, as Wolves crept back into the game there was no plan B as Rogers left the Liberty Stadium with just a point from the worst team in the division. An uncharacteristically defence display by Newcastle contained Swansea’s passing game as Newcastle adapted to take down the Swans by 2 goals to nil. The examples are in excess of how Swansea came undone without a plan B.
The football on display was entertaining for a newly promoted team, but that statement always came with that disclaimer: “for a newly promoted team”. A statement both complimentary yet patronising simultaneously. Rogers must combine everything he has learned along his short managerial career not make any mistakes along the way. He must play pretty, win ugly, have a plan B and appeal to the fans. Lest we not forget that it only takes a second to score and the same time to get fired.
Rogers’ Swansea side did enough to attract the services of Danish hero Brian Laudrup and if you look hard enough you can find a Liverpool fan who is happy with this appointment. But again, Rogers’ best finish to date is 3rd and how many Liverpool fans would be happy with that? My guess – neither of them.
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