Yesterday was a beautiful day, if only for how obviously it all panned out.
Rodgers once again bottled another big game. Feel free to vault me on this thread, look back at my posts, but I have said consistently this guy has no idea how to win big games. He has a toxic mixture of arrogance and stupidity.
Lets list the big games he needed to win that he's failed too, Beskitas away, Arsenal away, Manchester United at Home + away, both derby matches, Chelsea and Villa in the cup semi finals, Basel at home. If we look into other seasons we can immediately add Arsenal away in the cup last year, as well as Chelsea + Crystal Palace at home. He wins games that aren't important but when it comes to the crunch is found wanting.
Yesterday was a fine example of weak management. Firstly putting in Gerrard who is way over the hill for sentimental reasons. Not only that but he then shoe-horned him into the team in a way that affected a lot of their other key players. Coutinho had to play right wing meaning he didn't see any of the ball. Henderson had to play too far up the field meaning they didn't have the physicality and "legs" to stop Grealish + NZogbia. He switched to a back 4 to then accommodate Gerrard but left his defence looking precarious.
Obviously a midfield 2 of Gerrard and Allen is going to be appallingly overran. It's almost as bad as when we used to play Osman and Neville (or an unfit Gibson). I don't dislike Joe Allen, he's a tidy player but needs energy next to him. Where was Lucas, their best defensive midfielder for this game? Anyway, chasing the game and being overrun in midfield Gerrard should have been hooked and Balotelli given some support (with Lambo). Henderson should have gone into Midfield. Instead the coward takes Allen off to bring a right back on and play Can in midfield. Out and out stupidity all to keep Gerrard content.
He must have used about 4 systems yesterday. No doubt trying to show off his versatility to future employers (he thinks Manchester City). All he did was confuse himself and his own players. Sherwood kept thinks very simple and Nzobbia + Grealish thrived in picking up the spaces vacated with the confusion from the Liverpool players. He should have played a system to get the best out of Coutinho. Instead he was left marginalised to make room for the Stevie G show.
On a side note, I really wonder if Sturridge wants to play for Rodgers anymore. I reckon he thinks he's a bit of a tit and doesn't fancy playing through the pain barrier much.
Out played by Villa and out thought by Sherwood. Knocked out by the first premier league team they've faced. They have excelled once more in embarrassing themselves.
lol)
