MLS boss doubts Steven Gerrard Liverpool loan return will happen

MLS commissioner Don Garber has poured cold water over suggestions that Steven Gerrard could return to Liverpool on loan in January.

New LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard is unlikely to return to Liverpool on loan in January, according to MLS commissioner Don Garber.

This comes following Reds CEO Ian Ayre’s suggestion at the beginning of 2015 that such a move was “conceivable,” and that “it’s something we talked to Steven and his representatives about.”

Speaking at the Soccerex convention in Manchester, Garber was asked about the possibility of Gerrard joining Liverpool on a temporary deal during the MLS off-season.

“I don’t think so,” he said, according to Paul Joyce of the Express.

“And I had not heard that was something that was being contemplated.”

“It doesn’t happen as much as it used to. David [Beckham] knows very well that I was really upset with the big hoopla and the massive commitment we made and then David went and played in Milan.

“And people in our country said: ‘What? He plays for two teams? And you are trying to build a sport.’

“It was a challenge getting people to understand that.”

There is a history of MLS players moving to the Premier League on loan in order to preserve match fitness and satisfy their desire to play regular football, with Beckham’s move to AC Milan followed by moves for Landon Donovan (Everton), Thierry Henry (Arsenal) and Robbie Keane (Aston Villa).

But Garber’s comments on the growth of MLS and the need for consistency suggests that this is a thing of the past.

However, he doesn’t seem certain.

Gerrard will be training with Liverpool during his winter break, and discussed the possibility of a return in a playing capacity back in May.

“I have been invited to come back and spend time here and join in with the lads in training, which is a fantastic gesture from the club,” he said, as reported by the Mirror.

“So I will certainly be around during the winter months.”

He continued: “Some [other] clubs have already asked about a loan, but that would be a very difficult one. I plan stay in touch with people at Liverpool who I have long-term relationships with.”

Whether this was Gerrard hinting at a possible temporary switch back to Liverpool is up for debate, and whether Brendan Rodgers‘ squad requires another central midfielder following the arrival of James Milner this summer is also questionable.

But, much as with Henry and Arsenal in 2012, his return would certainly boost morale on Merseyside.

• FROM MAY: Steven Gerrard – La Phenomenon

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Video: Daniel Sturridge celebration on Fifa 16

EA Sports released their Fifa 16 demo this week and one of the new features sees Daniel Sturridge‘s celebration as part of the iconic video game.

Earlier this week, the player ratings were revealed – with Jose Enrique being surprisingly rated higher than the likes of Emre Can and Danny Ings.

Liverpool will fans will be hoping to see Sturridge’s celebration – named ‘Riding the Wave’ by Fifa – in real life soon.

The England forward is back in training at Melwood and should begin training with his teammates later this month ahead of a full return next month.

SEE ALSO: Liverpool FIFA 16 Ratings: Enrique overrated, Can underrated?

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Man United vs. Liverpool: Positional Head-to-Heads & Combined XI

Liverpool face bitter rivals Man United on Saturday evening, Henry Jackson selects his combined XI between the two sides.

Brendan Rodgers takes his side to Old Trafford well aware that a defeat could prove disastrous in terms of his future as Liverpool manager.

Clashes between the Reds and the Red Devils remain the most hotly-anticipated in English football, and Saturday promises to be another thrilling affair.

The question is: who would make it into a combined XI between the two teams?

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet vs. David De Gea

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There is a clear winner here, with David De Gea arguably one of the top three goalkeepers in the world currently, along with Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois.

The Spaniard is likely to come back into the side to face Liverpool on Saturday, following the collapse of his move to Real Madrid. Don’t be surprised to see him put in a star turn, like he did at Old Trafford last season.

Simon Mignolet has improved greatly in a Reds shirt over the last nine months, but he still not fully convincing in all facets of his game.

Winner: De Gea

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Right-Back: Nathaniel Clyne vs. Matteo Darmian

It is a tough call between the two right-backs, but Nathaniel Clyne just has the edge because he is a slightly superior defender.

The 24-year-old has been superb since his move from Southampton in the summer, combining brilliant defensive work with effective attacking forays.

Matteo Darmian has also impressed greatly in his first few games for United, and the Italy international looks to have solved the right-back issue that has dogged them for years.

Winner: Clyne

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Centre-Back: Martin Skrtel vs. Chris Smalling

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Martin Skrtel would have come out on top in previous years, but Chris Smalling has made a tremendous start to the season.

The England international looks to have come of age for both club and country, and is a towering presence at the heart of the defence. His use of the ball still leaves plenty to be desired, however.

Skrtel blows very hot and cold for the Reds, and it is this lack of consistency that will always work against him.

Winner: Smalling

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Centre-Back: Mamadou Sakho vs. Daley Blind

Mamadou Sakho remains bizarrely left out of the Liverpool side at the expense of Dejan Lovren, but is the best left-sided centre-back at either club.

The Frenchman is strong, fast, an excellent reader of the game and terrific on the ball, even if he doesn’t actually look it.

Daley Blind is very much a makeshift central defender, and thrives far more at left-back or in midfield. Phil Jones remains on the sidelines, and when he is fit, he lacks consistency.

Winner: Sakho

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Left-Back: Joe Gomez vs. Luke Shaw

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After a disappointing first year in Manchester, Luke Shaw has made great strides so far this season, and is comfortably the best left-back at either club.

The 20-year-old will be first-choice for United and England for many years, and has the potential to become world-class if he avoids serious injury.

Joe Gomez has done very well on the whole, especially as he is being played out of position, but he lacks the attacking qualities of Shaw. Alberto Moreno, meanwhile, is too suspect defensively to merit being included.

Winner: Shaw

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Holding Midfield: Jordan Henderson vs. Morgan Schneiderlin

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Jordan Henderson has matured into one of Liverpool’s most important players these days, but in the battle of the midfield workhorses, Morgan Schneiderlin is superior.

The Frenchman is a massive signing for Louis van Gaal’s side, with his all-action but classy style making him one of the Premier League’s most influential midfielders.

Former Everton man Marouane Fellaini can be effective on his day, but he lacks his teammate’s mobility and technical expertise.

Winner: Schneiderlin

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Centre Midfield: Emre Can vs. Bastian Schweinsteiger

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Bastian Schweinsteiger may not be the world-class central midfielder he was in his prime, but he remains an excellent footballer.

His reading of play, passing qualities and experience make him impossible to leave out, and compatriot Emre Can still has a long way to go before he reaches Schweinsteiger’s level.

Michael Carrick and Lucas Leiva both have enduring, understated qualities to their game, but neither are on the 31-year-old German’s level.

Winner: Schweinsteiger

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Centre Midfield: James Milner vs. Ander Herrera

Of all Liverpool’s numerous summer purchases, James Milner is increasingly looking like the best piece of business.

The 29-year-old has covered more ground than any other Premier League player so far this season, and his general influence in his preferred central midfield role has been magnificent.

Ander Herrera is a very fine player who chips in with goals and provides box-to-box running, but he does not quite have the impact of Milner.

Winner: Milner

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Attacking Midfield: Philippe Coutinho vs. Juan Mata

Juan Mata is a superb player at his best, as shown by his double at Anfield last season, but Philippe Coutinho is clearly on another level.

The Brazilian is fast becoming one of the finest players in the league, and has far more match-winning moments of brilliance than Mata. Defensively he is also far better.

The likes of Adam Lallana, Jordon Ibe, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia all have certain qualities they can bring to the side, but none are even remotely close to Coutinho’s class.

Winner: Coutinho

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Striker: Daniel Sturridge vs. Memphis Depay

Ok, so Memphis Depay isn’t a striker, but this is one of the only ways to compare him to a Liverpool player in a 4-4-2 diamond.

The young Dutchman is clearly a massive talent, but he remains someone very much at the ‘work in progress’ stage of their career.

Sturridge has been such a huge loss to Liverpool over the past year, missing most of that time through injury, but when fit and firing, he is arguably the most important player the Reds have.

If the 26-year-old returns the same player he was prior to injury, he will genuinely feel like a top class new signing for the Reds.

Winner: Sturridge

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Striker: Christian Benteke vs. Wayne Rooney

Christian Benteke has come in and done well since his big-money move from Aston Villa in the summer, but Wayne Rooney has to get the nod over the Belgian in attack.

The 29-year-old may be a bit of a fading force who polarises opinion, but he still has the touch, power, creativity and finishing to hurt any side.

Danny Ings, Divock Origi and United’s new man Anthony Martial are all promising young forwards, but they have a long way to go before they can be considered really top strikers.

Winner: Rooney

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Overall XI

This would be a team capable of causing anyone problems once they had gelled, and the 4-4-2 diamond has a nice, balanced look to it.

Clyne and Shaw would give the side plenty of much-needed attacking width from full-back, while the energy of Schneiderlin and Milner would perfectly complement the class of Schweinsteiger and genius of Coutinho.

Sturridge and Rooney have looked good alongside one another for England in the past, and with the latter dropping deep and the former stretching the opposition defence, it would be a potentially devastating combination.

It’s hard to pick weak-links in the team- there are plenty out there who are not fans of either Smalling or Sakho, however- and it would be intriguing to see how they fared against top class opposition.

Combined Man United-Liverpool XI: De Gea; Clyne, Smalling, Sakho, Shaw; Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Milner, Coutinho; Sturridge, Rooney

Combined XIs are always subjective, but do you agree with ours? Let us know in the comments below.

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Lucas: I was close to leaving Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that he was on the verge of leaving in the summer, but has committed his future to the Reds.

The 28-year-old is a player whose future has been up in the air a number of times over the last few years, with various clubs expressing an interest in signing him.

A move to Besiktas was reportedly going to be completed “within the next two days” at one point during the summer, but it never materialised.

Lucas has admitted how close he was to leaving Liverpool, but claims his focus is now very much on helping Brendan Rodgers‘ side improve.

“It’s been very intense [the window], to be honest,” he said.

“I think the last couple of years, every transfer window my name is [linked with a move].

“Of course there are times when you think you might have to move on and I was very close to moving but one thing I will always have is commitment to this club.

“I’ve been here so long and I always said if I had the choice to be here and be happy, I would always choose Liverpool.

“When your future is in doubt, you might have to think of another solution, but I’m happy that it didn’t happen and I’m here to fight for the club as I have been doing for eight years.

“I’m just looking forward to a good season and putting Liverpool back where it belongs. I have this chance to say I’m fully committed.”

The Brazilian also spoke about Liverpool’s 3-0 home loss to West Ham in their last Premier League outing, accepting that sometimes results of this kind happen in football.

“West Ham had a gameplan which was to be behind the ball and play counterattack,” he continued.

“Of course we conceded a very early goal, which makes it harder, and 2-0 down at half-time with two counterattacks it’s always harder to get back.

“We had a [red card]; probably our best player wasn’t with us after 10 minutes of the second half which made it even harder.

“We just have to now approach these types of games trying to be solid defensively as well because we know we’ll probably have a lot of the ball but these kinds of teams are very quick breaking and we have to make sure we control that as well.

“I think this result shouldn’t happen but it happens. We just have to move on and learn and hopefully going forward we don’t make the same mistakes.”

Liverpool’s longest serving player looks likely to start against Man United at Old Trafford on Saturday, and his influence in defensive midfield could prove vital for the Reds.

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Jordan Henderson “a doubt” for Man United clash despite injury progress

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson remains a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to take on Manchester United on Saturday, according to reports.

Jordan Henderson could miss out on Liverpool’s vital top-four clash with Manchester United this weekend, with reports suggesting that the captain is still struggling with a heel injury.

This is despite strong progress in his recovery, say the Liverpool Echo.

“Henderson has responded positively to treatment on the heel injury which forced him to miss the past two league games against Arsenal and West Ham,” James Pearce writes.

“However, the 25-year-old midfielder remains a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford and no decision will be made on his participation until later in the week.”

Henderson was withdrawn midway through Liverpool’s 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth last month, and his absence has forced manager Brendan Rodgers to alter his tactical setup, with a 4-3-3 formation resulting in a 0-0 draw away to Arsenal and a 3-0 loss at home to West Ham United.

The Reds have clearly felt the loss of their captain, and not having him at his disposal against United will be a major blow for Rodgers.

Henderson is Liverpool’s midfield lynchpin, and while stand-in anchor Lucas Leiva performed well against Arsenal, the Brazilian is far removed from the energetic, high-pressing former Sunderland man.

The blossoming chemistry between Henderson and fellow dynamo James Milner was a key influence in Liverpool’s opening victories over Stoke City and Bournemouth.

With United looking to employ a measured passing game in the middle of the park, Rodgers will need to rely on the vitality of his midfield players if he is to be hopeful of gaining a priceless victory at Old Trafford.

Worryingly, Rodgers could also be without Adam Lallana for the short trip up the M62.

This could leave Liverpool to persevere with a midfield three of Lucas, Milner and Emre Can, but after a pair of performances at right-back for Germany during the international break, Can is confident of securing a long-term role in midfield by improving his game.

“I think every player aims to get in the starting XI so I work hard in training and I always try to show what I can do and impress the manager so he picks me,” he told LiverpoolFC.com this week.

“At the end of the day I think the competition for places is good for the team.

“I’m ready to take more responsibility as I’m in my second season. My English is improving and I’ve matured as a player.

“Playing in midfield means you have to take more responsibility. That means I want to score more goals and help the team to get results.”

A goal and a standout performance in midfield against United would be the perfect start for Can as he aims to find his place in Rodgers’ starting lineup.

Injury to Henderson may offer him the perfect opportunity to impress.

• Read more: Liverpool must ensure Man United clash does not become a season-ruining fixture again

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Coventry City “hopeful” of signing Ryan Kent on loan

Academy winger Ryan Kent could be the latest player to leave Liverpool on loan, with Coventry City reportedly “hopeful” of sealing a deal.

Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray has said he is “hopeful” of securing the loan signing of Liverpool academy winger Ryan Kent this week.

That is according to the Coventry Telegraph, who spoke to Mowbray following a long-term injury setback for Sky Blues midfielder James Maddison.

Kent, according to Mowbray, is a key target in covering Maddison’s absence.

“He’s a young player who we have noted an interest with Liverpool,” he said.

“It might have a day or two to run yet but I would be hopeful of trying to close the deal. We’ve watched him for a while and he’s my type of footballer really.

“He’s a bit whispy but he can come in and do what James isn’t going to be able to do for the next four or five months.

“He can handle the ball, play off both feet, travel with the ball and play anywhere behind that main striker, so it makes sense.”

Kent definitely has the quality to flourish in League One, with his pace, versatility and eye for goal making him one of the most promising players in the Liverpool academy.

The 18-year-old returned from injury towards the end of last season to perform a starring role in the Liverpool’s ill-fated push for the U21 Premier League title, with two long-range strikes against Everton the highlight of his campaign.

Signing a new long-term contract with the Reds during his time out with injury, Kent could play a key role in Brendan Rodgers‘ plans for the future, and was included in the manager’s squad for this summer’s pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

But for now, a loan deal would be his best option in developing his game.

However, whether Coventry is the best club for him is debatable, particularly as it was reported by the Liverpool Echo that the Reds had received “a number of loan offers from Championship clubs” for Kent back in August.

Mowbray admitted that there was “a lot of competition” to sign Kent, so a move to the Championship could still be in the offing.

Nevertheless, with a first-team role likely guaranteed with Coventry, Kent would at least receive the game time required to continue his development if he was to end up at the Ricoh Arena this season.

• Read more: 5 Liverpool under-21 players to watch out for in 2015/16

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Jordan Henderson “a doubt” for Man United clash despite injury progress

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson remains a doubt for Liverpool’s trip to take on Manchester United on Saturday, according to reports.

Jordan Henderson could miss out on Liverpool’s vital top-four clash with Manchester United this weekend, with reports suggesting that the captain is still struggling with a heel injury.

This is despite strong progress in his recovery, say the Liverpool Echo.

“Henderson has responded positively to treatment on the heel injury which forced him to miss the past two league games against Arsenal and West Ham,” James Pearce writes.

“However, the 25-year-old midfielder remains a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford and no decision will be made on his participation until later in the week.”

Henderson was withdrawn midway through Liverpool’s 1-0 win over AFC Bournemouth last month, and his absence has forced manager Brendan Rodgers to alter his tactical setup, with a 4-3-3 formation resulting in a 0-0 draw away to Arsenal and a 3-0 loss at home to West Ham United.

The Reds have clearly felt the loss of their captain, and not having him at his disposal against United will be a major blow for Rodgers.

Henderson is Liverpool’s midfield lynchpin, and while stand-in anchor Lucas Leiva performed well against Arsenal, the Brazilian is far removed from the energetic, high-pressing former Sunderland man.

The blossoming chemistry between Henderson and fellow dynamo James Milner was a key influence in Liverpool’s opening victories over Stoke City and Bournemouth.

With United looking to employ a measured passing game in the middle of the park, Rodgers will need to rely on the vitality of his midfield players if he is to be hopeful of gaining a priceless victory at Old Trafford.

Worryingly, Rodgers could also be without Adam Lallana for the short trip up the M62.

This could leave Liverpool to persevere with a midfield three of Lucas, Milner and Emre Can, but after a pair of performances at right-back for Germany during the international break, Can is confident of securing a long-term role in midfield by improving his game.

“I think every player aims to get in the starting XI so I work hard in training and I always try to show what I can do and impress the manager so he picks me,” he told LiverpoolFC.com this week.

“At the end of the day I think the competition for places is good for the team.

“I’m ready to take more responsibility as I’m in my second season. My English is improving and I’ve matured as a player.

“Playing in midfield means you have to take more responsibility. That means I want to score more goals and help the team to get results.”

A goal and a standout performance in midfield against United would be the perfect start for Can as he aims to find his place in Rodgers’ starting lineup.

Injury to Henderson may offer him the perfect opportunity to impress.

• Read more: Liverpool must ensure Man United clash does not become a season-ruining fixture again

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Coventry City “hopeful” of signing Ryan Kent on loan

Academy winger Ryan Kent could be the latest player to leave Liverpool on loan, with Coventry City reportedly “hopeful” of sealing a deal.

Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray has said he is “hopeful” of securing the loan signing of Liverpool academy winger Ryan Kent this week.

That is according to the Coventry Telegraph, who spoke to Mowbray following a long-term injury setback for Sky Blues midfielder James Maddison.

Kent, according to Mowbray, is a key target in covering Maddison’s absence.

“He’s a young player who we have noted an interest with Liverpool,” he said.

“It might have a day or two to run yet but I would be hopeful of trying to close the deal. We’ve watched him for a while and he’s my type of footballer really.

“He’s a bit whispy but he can come in and do what James isn’t going to be able to do for the next four or five months.

“He can handle the ball, play off both feet, travel with the ball and play anywhere behind that main striker, so it makes sense.”

Kent definitely has the quality to flourish in League One, with his pace, versatility and eye for goal making him one of the most promising players in the Liverpool academy.

The 18-year-old returned from injury towards the end of last season to perform a starring role in the Liverpool’s ill-fated push for the U21 Premier League title, with two long-range strikes against Everton the highlight of his campaign.

Signing a new long-term contract with the Reds during his time out with injury, Kent could play a key role in Brendan Rodgers‘ plans for the future, and was included in the manager’s squad for this summer’s pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia.

But for now, a loan deal would be his best option in developing his game.

However, whether Coventry is the best club for him is debatable, particularly as it was reported by the Liverpool Echo that the Reds had received “a number of loan offers from Championship clubs” for Kent back in August.

Mowbray admitted that there was “a lot of competition” to sign Kent, so a move to the Championship could still be in the offing.

Nevertheless, with a first-team role likely guaranteed with Coventry, Kent would at least receive the game time required to continue his development if he was to end up at the Ricoh Arena this season.

• Read more: 5 Liverpool under-21 players to watch out for in 2015/16

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Being outraged won’t help you or the team: save it for when it’s needed

What separates Liverpool from those other clubs (other than seemingly unlimited spending) is that those other clubs also have other triumphs to fall back on. This has fostered the much-ballyhooed “winning mentality.”

Chelsea were humiliated by Bradford, but won the league. City have won the league in recent seasons and also look intent on winning it this season. United didn’t follow up 2012’s collapse by falling away to 6th – they regained the title in 2013.

Chelsea have already lost points to “teams we should be beating” this season, but I doubt Mourinho is writing off their chances at this early stage. Yet a growing number of Liverpool fans are writing off Rodgers and the team before some of the new players have even had a chance to play.

Whether it was by design or good fortune, City, Chelsea and United have more tangible recent successes (and high spending to increase the likelihood of it happening again) to fall back on.

Meanwhile, despite phenomenal league campaigns in 2008-09 and 2013-14, Liverpool fell away in 2009-10 and 2014-15, so it makes the fine campaigns preceding them all the more difficult to bear in retrospect.

The club was SO close, but unable to improve in the following seasons. Even though there were mitigating circumstances for these failures, it means that ultimately we’re left with “if-onlys” and motifs – we look at the likes of “dropping points to the teams you should beat” with more regret. It dredges up so many painful memories.

Many fans aren’t seeing the West Ham defeat in isolation. It recalls so many of the woeful performances of last season – the feeble display against Villa at Wembley, getting outplayed twice by Palace. It creates a fear of stagnation of more mediocrity. It reminds many that “Lovren is a liability”, even though his mistake correlates with the first goal being conceded rather than directly causing it. More critically, the result also brings back painful memories of losing to “lesser teams” and wasting opportunities in previous campaigns.

It’s arguably more difficult to beat the smaller teams now because, it could be argued, there’s no genuine “dross” in the Premier League. So much money has been spent by teams that typically occupy the bottom half of the table, and there’s some genuine quality in their squads. Yet, when that wasn’t so much the case, every Liverpool manager since 1990 has the “lost points at home to a lesser team” blemish on his record; Anfield has only been a “fortress” during selected periods over 25 years. The fact that the club still hasn’t secured the League title since then makes it more pronounced.

In Rodgers’ particular case, he’s seen by some critics as a man who talks his way out of problems: he undoubtedly has used his connections in the media to help him survive in the job. Others still feel bitter that Rafa Benitez and Kenny Dalglish, both crowd favourites with proven success, were unceremoniously fired by the club. Therefore, some resentment has kicked in and the view is: if the brass can get rid of two legends who have actually won silverware for the club, how has Rodgers, with no proven track record, managed to dodge the bullet?

There’s no question that some people in the media just didn’t like Kenny and Rafa, and therefore gave them less margin of error than they do with Rodgers. In truth, they were dowright scathing about Rafa and did anything they could to belittle him and his achievements. This was done to an extent that was, frankly, alarming.

As no manager, including Rafa, has won the League at Liverpool since 1990, it has allowed hindsightism to dominate and has given fuel to criticism. If only the manager had done more of this and less of that, we’d have won. If only he’d used those tactics, we’d have gotten over the line. He rotated the squad too much, he didn’t rotate it enough. Zonal marking. Shackles. Provincial club. These are, in my opinion, pundit soundbites, attention-seeking headlines or examples of lazy analysis.

Before the West Ham match kicked off, most people seemed reasonably happy that an unchanged side was named. Neither the starting 11 nor recent performances suggested a team that would get rolled over 3-0 at home to West Ham. Was it an aberration, a chastening lesson or a sign of defeats ahead? Or could it be simply that West Ham set up well and got a deserved win?

It’s easy to be outraged if you let yourself get too carried away by these things. Much of how you feel depends on what you decide to focus on – the “disgrace” of not picking a certain player, for instance. It might help if we put this in its proper context. A “disgrace” in footballing terms is nearly letting a club like Liverpool fall into extinction, which so nearly happened in 2010. And that’s when the man in the dugout was throwing out prehistoric tactics. That was a legitimately disgraceful time in the club’s history.

Toning down the melodrama and taking on some perspective helps: is it a “disgrace” that a player didn’t get picked or is it just “disappointing”? Is Rodgers an “idiot” or did he make a poor decision that ultimately meant that the team didn’t win? Did he even make a mistake, or was he (like other managers) let down by the players he entrusted? It’s a squad game and Rodgers is trying to incorporate players he believes will help the team win. I can’t see his true motivations, of course, but I don’t get the impression he is leaving players out through malice. Could there perhaps be a larger vision on his part?

I’m embracing a more balanced outlook on life. Being balanced doesn’t mean you don’t feel emotion or are rendered incapable of making an opinion; it’s more about making an opinion weighing up all the possible factors and trying to see a situation from a range of points of view – after a few deep breaths, naturally. Most situations are not black or white. So, yes, I can see why an increasing number of fans are annoyed at the club’s direction and don’t feel that the manager has the required pedigree to lead Liverpool to the title.

I still come down on the side that he has ability and I’m variously interested/worried/excited in where this season will end up. But, on balance, what can I or you as a fan change? We all live in hope that the formula works – maybe it will and maybe it won’t. It could be another season of disappointment. It might not even end up that Rodgers is in charge come May 2016, so that’s why I’m enjoying the victories and trying not to be too dejected after a defeat.

A lot of the hysteria we feel comes down to the language we use to describe situations in football. With all the money in and surrounding football and all the coverage it gets, we’ve been programmed to accept and to unconsciously blurt out certain hyperbole. With transfer windows, deadlines and a player “going off the boil” after a couple of bad games, it’s a non-stop procession of urgency and snap judgements.

A couple of injuries or bad defeats means there’s a “crisis”, a player and a manager have words and it’s “a showdown”; a manager is underperforming and he’s “lost the dressing-room.” Couple that with all the times you read “saga”, “on the brink”, or “lost faith.”

It’s typically doom and gloom, apocalyptic, the most hypnotically dramatic language, you’ll notice. It sells to us, hooks us in and creates intrigue. There’s no compelling story in “manager and team getting on well and working through some disappointing performances” which, in all likelihood, is what Rodgers and the team are doing.

Retaining Rodgers ensured that, in some quarters, last season would be continually cited when the team had a bad or appalling performance. This has led to the outrage and the feeling of injustice that Rodgers has kept his job. He was retained largely on the strength of the 2013-14 campaign and his apparent ability to improve some key players (there are about 120 million reasons FSG will be happy with the improvement in Sterling and Suarez since Rodgers took over), but the jury does remain out on the manager and that’s the burden he has now. His performance is the sideshow of the season, it seems: it’s become about the manager, the players he signed and what he does now. It defines this season.

Some players have been “alienated”, and the club is essentially paying Jose Enrique more in a week than the average national salary… evidently to play 5-a-side at Melwood, go to Safari Parks and take selfies.

The current model is far from perfect and it would be hard to keep over 20 people happy in any squad at any time. Other players, meanwhile, simply haven’t improved under Rodgers and the transfer policy seems a bit scattershot at times. In truth, the team hasn’t (to my mind, at least) been very convincing from the start of the season, but it’s too early to make a determination of how it’ll end up.

The bigger determination is: what even makes someone a “good manager”? It depends on the criteria you use; it’s very subjective, and I’ve seen arguments that Rodgers is a very bad manager, “bang average” or a very good manager. It’s obvious that, for most managers, you could make a compelling case for any of these appraisals being true. You could pick nearly any manager and damn his success as “well, he should be doing that with the money he’s spent” or claim he’s ruined the club in other ways.

I think it’s a vague concept anyway and the pertinent question really is: who’s the best manager the club can get that can achieve tangible success working under the current model? Broadly speaking, that model is to have a low net spend and to try and develop players. Is Rodgers on, under or over par? Could another manager do better in the same circumstances? Could Klopp really be the answer to all perceived ills?

Jose Mourinho is clearly a very successful manager, but he’s achieved success usually by spending a huge amount of money and being at clubs which didn’t run the FSG model. He rarely leaves a legacy, however, and he causes untold levels of disrepute but he does virtually guarantee silverware. Is it fair, therefore, to compare Rodgers to Mourinho when HE has to build a squad “for the present and future” and to compete with the financial juggernauts of last year’s top 4? How can you judge players in a game if they’ve been dealt a completely different hand than those they are playing against? That’s just a bit of balance there.

Debates will continue to rage (operative word) and that can be part of the fun of football. There are no absolutes and things can change quickly. However, there’s really no benefit in the “outrage.” For all intents and purposes, football was intended for our entertainment. Take a step back and see the bigger picture. Things have been better at Liverpool, but they’ve also been a lot worse.

To put it into perspective, other clubs are facing genuinely tough times and are facing the thought of having to close down for good. For a club that’s allegedly “going backwards”, Liverpool have spent a good amount of money (maybe not on the right players and with a relatively low net spend) and the owners are improving the stadium (maybe not as ambitiously as some would have liked). I like the 2015 version of “outrage” much better than 2010’s version, as Hodgson does not have the team languishing and there’s actually a club to discuss. Perspective.

On the football side, LFC have had it better than most; it’s not like we ever enter a season contemplating relegation and most of us are optimistic to the point of delusion with regards to our title credentials. We desperately want that League but, in the context of the modern football world and compared to the problems wrought by Hicks and Gillett, those are “first world problems.”

There doesn’t have to be a pro-Rafa camp or an anti-Rodgers brigade. There doesn’t have to be factions: pro this player, anti that player, “apologist.” To engage in this is a little bit nonsensical really, and all it does is divide a fanbase that would be best supporting (with some gusto, if possible) whoever is in charge and whoever he picks. If he doesn’t get it right, we’ll know soon enough and then we can move on with the next chapter.

No manager will get it right 100% and, even if he’s tactically astute, winning or losing a match can often come down to marginal decisions beyond the manager’s power. The manager’s in a position where there are no excuses now. He’s had time, he’s had a fair amount of money to spend and, evidently, he’s brought in most of the players he wanted.

If Rodgers doesn’t achieve the targets FSG has set, then he’ll receive the dreaded pink slip and some of his signings will follow him out the door. If he does achieve those targets, then surely even the most hardened critic would be happy the team is doing well. It’s a genuine win-win, irrespective of how you rate the man in charge. Enjoy the good, hope for better days ahead and support the team. When you go in with that frame of mind, there actually isn’t too much right now about which to be outraged.

More: Brendan Rodgers, Fans

Paul is a 30 year old father-of-three and lifelong Liverpool fan. He has written for Football365 and is passionate about raising his two sons to be diehard Liverpool fans. Hopefully it is in the blood! He is also passionate about seeing the club regain its rightful place at the top of English Football. Add him on Twitter.

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