adminAfter crashing out of the Champions League and then losing 3-0 at arch-rivals Manchester United, it’s been a week to forget for Liverpool.
The Reds’ last two matches have been a microcosm of their season so far.
After playing a brand of swashbuckling football that saw them close to winning the title last season, Brendan Rodgers’ side now look devoid of ideas and lacking in a killer instinct up front.
Sportsmail’s Dominic King assesses where (and why) things have gone so wrong at Anfield this campaign.
1. What is the minimum Liverpool must achieve this season?
The expectation from Fenway Sports Group back in the summer was to retain their place in the top four and secure another adventure in the Champions League. No matter how bad the team’s form has been, there will not be reassessing of goals from FSG. They have to get back in the Champions League and whether they do it by finishing in the top four — or winning the Europa League — is immaterial.
2. Will they take the Europa League seriously? And can they realistically compete on two fronts (Thursdays and Sundays)?
For reasons outlined above, they cannot doing anything other than take it seriously. It might actually be their best chance of qualifying for the Champions League, plus winning a European trophy would be a positive for their reputation. They have the numbers to compete with a Thursday-Sunday schedule but whether they have the quality is another matter entirely.
3. Who had final say on signing the players Liverpool bought in the summer?
The manager. For all the talk of the transfer committee, the policy Liverpool follow and their preference for buying young, unproven talent, the buck always stops with Rodgers.
He might have different ideas sometimes to those on the committee on certain players — the other members are Michael Edwards (head of analysis), Dave Fallows (head of scouting), Barry Hunter (chief scout), Ian Ayre (chief executive) and Mike Gordon (FSG board member).
But he doesn’t have players imposed on him. This is what he said on May 28 earlier this year. “We will never bring in a player here who the manager doesn’t want in. That’s a great credit to the owners and the other people at the club.
“We work very closely together — it’s worth stressing that. It’s key that we are very much one club.”
4. Why does Rodgers think Raheem Sterling can play centre forward?
Sterling has speed and scored 10 goals last season. He was also prolific during his time as an academy player and on the opening day of the season, he actually combined well against Southampton, scoring the opening goal of the campaign from a central position.
On that day, remember, it was being said that he and Daniel Sturridge could form a new “SAS” partnership. — Daily Mail.
Online Reporter