Magix

Yup, my starting pair as well. Think they're both more of the front-foot, proactive, comfortable on the ball defenders Rodgers is looking for. Also helps that Toure and Sahko speak the same language.

Has played himself into the first eleven, especially after last night's performance. The Lucas-Henderson-Gerrard combination is the more balanced trio at the moment.

This is probably how Brendan envisages his team of experts to be, in a supporting role. Final say is still his. The way it's spun in the press, however, 'technical committee' starts sounding like a group of shadowy figures who could veto the manager's rights and undermine his position. Until a name or two materializes I'm not bothered, since this is really nothing notable (and new). But I can see how some fans are riled up by it.

Echo this. A lot has already been said -- and a whole lot more will be said -- about the goings-on of the summer. Truths will come to light, or miscast as the papers have started having a go at our last day dealings (failings). Our manager was made to look a chump in public. Jen has his work out for him that's for sure. Back to the football. The off-field nonsense aside, looking forward to see how Brendan copes with the limited squad resources at his disposal. His experience as youth coach and as manager who galvanized his less-heralded teams to punch above their weights will need to come to bear. Circumstances mean the likes of Suso and Pacheco will undoubtedly play a part, and I for am anticipating their time on the pitch. The squad needs to be coached and man-managed the hell out, plus luck favoring us in regards to injuries, for us to have a fighting chance for top 4 come January. We have to be greater than the sum of our parts, anything less isn't enough.

Think the issue people take with Henderson is not so much his ability -- there's a player in there, just time is needed to coax him out -- but why he was bought with big money ahead of players who could slot into the first team in the here and now. One could argue the reported 14-16mil should be chump change for the likes of us. But in our current situation, out of the CL with stadium plans to come, we can't afford small change.