Andy @ Allerton

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Hopefully we'll set up and just try not to get thumped too badly.

What is the net spend?

I think you've highlighted the reason for difference in opinion then mate. I never, ever, ever thought we would stand the slightest chance of winning the league. I thought we might scrape a 'Champions' League place after transforming us from a club with a team to a club with a squad. A club as big as Liverpool demands a squad that can fight on many fronts. Being a team isn't good enough. Rodgers and the owners saw this and acted. Short term pain for long term gain (Hopefully!) Yep. Was delighted we won it. But this league has nothing to do with the 'Champions' of any league. It's the European Cup. It really should be for just the Champions of each league. But that's another discussion for another thread.

mossegar-me

These things take time. I suppose a lot of it depends on what you believe the goal to be this season. I hope that we can challenge to get into a 'Champions' League place and I hope that we might go on a bit of a cup run. We're still in all the cups and we're still within touching distance of a top four finish. Other teams will struggle from time to time and other teams will drop points. We're not a million miles away from anything. A decent run after the Chelsea game and the return of some injured players and I can't see that much to panic about. We have some great players (that aren't performing as yet) and we had lots of options. Maybe a bit of 'luck' is needed - a bobble that we score from a shot that dips in from the post. We've had some luck already with recent games and despite a few lacklustre performances we're still there or there abouts.

To late for what? I'd say the goal this season would be to consolidate our position, try and stay in the 'Champions' League placings and try and go on a bit of a cup run. Given where we were and given that we want to ensure long term stability and progress over short term 'flash in the pan' success - we're not doing too bad a job. We've brought in an impressive number of players and we've changed a club that had a team into a club that has a squad. We're fighting on more fronts and as much as it's annoying or inconvenient, bringing in a large number of players is never going to be instantly successful. You can get away with bringing in individual quality players to a well established squad and there is always a chance they can gel. But it's never a given. Some of the best players in the world took 2 or 3 seasons to produce. We are nowhere near being a club that is stable and established enough for more than one player to step up - so clearly, it's increasingly unlikely that changing from a team to a viable squad is going to be instantly successful. We are still building - great job last season - but we've changed it around and IF it all comes off then in years to come, we'll be in a position to reallly get up the table. But to do that will take time, patience, understanding of the job and replacement of some of the older players that will decline in the coming seasons. We've had a few bad results, but equally importantly - we've had games where we were crap and we've still managed a win or a draw. That's a good sign in any league. So. 2-3 seasons minimum for Rodgers to get it all into place and in those seasons there should be plenty of time for some struggling players to gel and bed in well enough for us to progress. And! Despite some wobbles of late - still in all compeitions and still only a game away from a 'Champions' League berth. I can't honestly see what all the fuss is about. We're doing well and scraping points where we can. Yesterday was just one of those days (And a bit predictable as a loss, sadly) but they come and it's what the manager and team does with defeat that's important. I'd say it's likely we'll be thumped by Real Madrid and then thumped again by Chelsea. But after that, let's just see.

Just checking, but people do realise we are just 3 points off a 'Champions' League placing and are still in all competitions..?

I'd stick with the lad. He's struggling at the moment, but no need to overreact to a player bedding in. Best thing would be for the crowd to get behind the lad.

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Heard a few recently that have opined that the club would be better off. Any manager is allowed a dip in form and a crap season. And there is plenty of time to turn this season around as well. Still in all comps. Still in touching distance of the 'Champions' league. Still bedding players in.

Bit ridiculous saying that Rodgers should be sacked. He's had bit of setback. Stuff to learn and players to bed in. No real panic if we're looking long term.

Pretty much what I expected for today. Predicted we'd lose by the odd goal, thought we'd score one and thought they'd get two - but seemed likely. Two big games coming up. Be interesting to see if we can change the mindset. We've taken a bit of a step back, but there are still plenty of things to play for and a long way to go.

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I personally think that after the cracking job Rodgers did last year - against all expectations - that he should have a free hand for at least 2-3 seasons. Building takes the time and for any exercise to come to fruition, it has to be allowed to bloom. Set backs are fine. You have to take the good with the bad and accept that it's not going to be plain sailing. The quality throughout the league has improved and anyone can beat anyone on their day. Liverpool aren't the only club that's had 'surprising' results and they won't be the last. Even if we finished 12th or lower, then, although that would be hugely disappointing, it's not that important what happens now if it leads to long term stability and success. I still see people expecting new players to instantly gel and to immediately play to their top form. Yes, this does happen from time to time, but usually systems take time to bed in, players take time to settle and the team takes time to build - often bad results and bad phases of play and results can lead to the team playing as a team - and those bad times often lead to coherence and an ability to dig deep. But. For that to happen, it takes time. Rodgers should be given that time to see out what he's trying to do. And yes, obviously he's going to make mistakes - he has no experience on the European stage and shouldn't be expected to immediately do well there - but every setback should be an opportunity to learn and to build. We changed a shed load of players and we've changed the system around. That in itself should have led to an expectation that things would take a step back and wouldn't look as rosy for a while. Patience is always what has been important and that's especially true today given the clubs around us that are improving and the teams ahead of us that are spending and improving.

2-1 Newcastle I fear

I disagree. The Internet is serious business.

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I apologise for any times when I may have been unintentionally 'fun'

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My polls are quality compared to that effort, it must be said. I'm mulling over creating a poll to decide which ones are worst

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