I have divided this article into two parts, the first focusing on the positives accumulated by Rodger’s men while the upcoming second part will shed light into the negatives and the areas of improvement.
Positives:
1. Luis Suarez
The mercurial Uruguayan exploded into life at the Premier League with the excellent performance and famous dribble in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield last season. And despite several magical moments under King Kenny, Suarez failed to establish himself as a goal scorer ending the 2011-2012 season with 11 goals.
Under Rodgers though, the story is completely different.
Luis Suarez already has 21 goals to his name, 17 of which have come in the Premier League. Luis Suarez is the 2nd placed goal scorer in the English top division – a single goal behind Robin Van Persie.
The improvement though is not just in the goal scoring charts; Liverpool’s number seven has improved in almost every attacking aspect – Suarez now more often and hits the target at a higher accuracy. He also improved his chance conversion and clear-cut chance conversion.
Last season, Suarez would convert 25% of his clear-cut chances – this term the percentage has risen to 52%.
The following stats by EPLIndex give us a clear indicator of the massive improvement enjoyed by the Uruguayan so far this season:
Figure 1 - Suarez in 2011/2012
Figure 2 - Suarez in 2012/2013
The way Brendan Rodgers has deployed Suarez this season also resulted in a major hike in the Uruguayan’s creativity.
Suarez is currently second in the top chance creation table behind Everton’s Leighton Baines with the Liverpool forward creating 64 chances this term – the same number he accomplished last season. Luis Suarez is the most creative player in the Premier League from open play with just 5% of the chances he creates coming from dead ball situations.
Here are some numbers collected through EPL Index:
Figure 3 - Suarez Creativity in 2011/2012
Figure 4 - Suarez Creativity in 2012/2013
The telling number in the comparison between the above tables is that of the number of minutes per clear-cut chances created with Suarez needing 319.6 minutes in 2011/2012 while the Uruguayan needs just 197.7 this season.
Whatever Rodgers is doing, it certainly is working with Liverpool’s number seven.
2. Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool captain has been struggling with form and injuries for a few seasons now and perhaps one of Rodgers main tasks was to ensure that Steven Gerrard returns to his talismanic best.
The Northern Irishman devised a special role to Gerrard to maximize his creativity while accepting the fact that the Scouser is no longer the marauding midfielder of seasons gone by as Gerrard simply does not possess the physical strength needed from a box-to-box midfielder. The new role was also influenced by the injury to Lucas at the start of the season which meant that Gerrard would have to assist Joe Allen in dominating the midfield and protecting the back four.
Liverpool’s number eight endured a slow start to the season as he got to grips with the individual instructions handed by the new Liverpool manager.
Gerrard’s role in Liverpool’s new system is pivotal – the focus is on the Liverpool captain to provide the incisive pass or cross. In the games when Gerrard failed to create a telling assist, Liverpool performed badly and suffered negative results (the defeats to Tottenham and Stoke).
As the season progressed, Gerrard was finally able to combine his creative responsibilities with positional discipline and defensive duties. The England captain’s total of eight assists after 21 games is his highest in 5 years.
Gerrard is now leading the Premier League Assists charts with 13 assists – the highest in his career. His previous record was 9 assists in Liverpool’s 2008/2009 campaign.
In a recent interview Rodgers stated: "Steven was outstanding in a slightly deeper role - the controlling role - which I think he can play as the years go on. He can dictate the rhythm and tempo of the game with his passing and invention."
Brendan Rodgers must take credit for the rejuvenated Liverpool captain!
The Liverpool captain has been struggling with form and injuries for a few seasons now and perhaps one of Rodgers main tasks was to ensure that Steven Gerrard returns to his talismanic best.
The Northern Irishman devised a special role to Gerrard to maximize his creativity while accepting the fact that the Scouser is no longer the marauding midfielder of seasons gone by as Gerrard simply does not possess the physical strength needed from a box-to-box midfielder. The new role was also influenced by the injury to Lucas at the start of the season which meant that Gerrard would have to assist Joe Allen in dominating the midfield and protecting the back four.
Liverpool’s number eight endured a slow start to the season as he got to grips with the individual instructions handed by the new Liverpool manager.
Gerrard’s role in Liverpool’s new system is pivotal – the focus is on the Liverpool captain to provide the incisive pass or cross. In the games when Gerrard failed to create a telling assist, Liverpool performed badly and suffered negative results (the defeats to Tottenham and Stoke).
As the season progressed, Gerrard was finally able to combine his creative responsibilities with positional discipline and defensive duties. The England captain’s total of eight assists after 21 games is his highest in 5 years.
Gerrard is now leading the Premier League Assists charts with 13 assists – the highest in his career. His previous record was 9 assists in Liverpool’s 2008/2009 campaign.
In a recent interview Rodgers stated: "Steven was outstanding in a slightly deeper role - the controlling role - which I think he can play as the years go on. He can dictate the rhythm and tempo of the game with his passing and invention."
Brendan Rodgers must take credit for the rejuvenated Liverpool captain!
3. Daniel Sturridge
Four goals in his first six games for Liverpool – not a bad start for the player Sir Alex Ferguson labeled a gamble!
Daniel Sturridge has been a revelation since his move to Liverpool showing the confidence he desperately lacked at Chelsea. The young Englishman possesses predatory instincts that other strikers (including Suarez) lack at the club as demonstrated by his timing and positioning for the goals at Mansfield and Old Trafford.
On many occasions Liverpool would create an opportunity which would bounce off the keeper but would not be followed up and the chance would go begging. Sturridge provides a very necessary solution to the problem that has marred Liverpool’s attack over the past few seasons.
Moreover, Sturrdige offers a much needed distraction to the opposition defense who are now forced to keep an eye on the pace and movement of a forward apart from Luis Suarez thus providing the Uruguayan with more time and space.
The partnership has been an instant success with the two forwards enjoying natural chemistry as they linked together seamlessly. In the four games that Suarez and Sturridge have started together, Liverpool scored eleven times.
The gamble is paying off.
Four goals in his first six games for Liverpool – not a bad start for the player Sir Alex Ferguson labeled a gamble!
Daniel Sturridge has been a revelation since his move to Liverpool showing the confidence he desperately lacked at Chelsea. The young Englishman possesses predatory instincts that other strikers (including Suarez) lack at the club as demonstrated by his timing and positioning for the goals at Mansfield and Old Trafford.
On many occasions Liverpool would create an opportunity which would bounce off the keeper but would not be followed up and the chance would go begging. Sturridge provides a very necessary solution to the problem that has marred Liverpool’s attack over the past few seasons.
Moreover, Sturrdige offers a much needed distraction to the opposition defense who are now forced to keep an eye on the pace and movement of a forward apart from Luis Suarez thus providing the Uruguayan with more time and space.
The partnership has been an instant success with the two forwards enjoying natural chemistry as they linked together seamlessly. In the four games that Suarez and Sturridge have started together, Liverpool scored eleven times.
The gamble is paying off.
4. Man Management
Many managers would come into a club and would simply cast-out members of the playing squad but not Brendan Rodgers.
Perhaps he was forced to give everyone a chance due to the lack in depth of the squad and the lack of the transfer budget but the Northern Irishman made the best out of it.
Rodgers laid down a public challenge to senior members of the squad who were under performing – first it was Stewart Downing, then Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson and credit to the boys, they all responded by producing their best form since joining the club.
All three responded with their dismay through the press. Stewart Downing had the following to say on the incident: “I was upset but you’d have to ask the manager what he meant by it,” he says.
“I try my best, I’m not one who’s going to run around tackling people, that's not my game, but I always try, I give my best and I’m always available to play, so you really have to ask the manager what he meant”.
Jose Enrique spoke of his anger towards Rodgers’ comments recently: “When the manager said what he did, of course I was angry. I thought to myself, 'Okay, now I have something to prove and I must train even harder'. I didn't want to be finished at Liverpool. I wanted to stay here and play under the manager" he continued. "It is true that it worked. He also said some things about Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, but all three of us are in the team now. I know I have to improve to keep my place."
Jordan Henderson, who was offered to Fulham as part of the Clint Dempsey deal summarized it perfectly: “The manager didn't go too far, not at all. What he did was good man management and it has given us all the kick up the backside we needed. It has made sure that the focus is on what we need to do. He was right to say what he said and that goes for the whole team and not just certain individuals.”
We are always reminded of a manager in Manchester and his famous hair-dryer approach which keeps his stars on their toes – Rodgers is making sure that at Liverpool the players must be at their best every week and despite the public groans it seems to be working.
5. Youth
After the summer transfer window closed last September, Brendan Rodgers had huge gaps to fill in his first team squad with positions available across the pitch.
Rodolfo Borrell’s reserves were the biggest beneficiaries as several youth team members joining first team squad with Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom making the jump with distinction.
Brendan Rodgers’ belief in youth was one of the main reasons why he was chosen by FSG as the Northern Irishman continues to give opportunities to Liverpool’s fledging academy graduates.
6. Possession
Brendan Rodgers is a huge believer in “Tiki Taka” – the possession based brand of football made famous by Barcelona.
During his first few interviews as Liverpool boss, Rodgers stated: “I like to control games. I like to be responsible for our own destiny. If you are better than your opponent with the ball you have a 79% chance of winning the game…for me it is quite logical. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, if you don’t have the ball you can’t score”.
The keyword here is possession!
Well, in Europe’s top five leagues this season, Liverpool are the 3rd highest possession team with an average of 59.4% behind Barcelona and Bayern in the top two positions respectively. (Via @footballadd1cts)
Not bad for the new Liverpool boss who is still within the first seven months of his reign at Anfield.
7. Chance Creation
I know what you’re thinking: “All that possession without creating chances counts to nothing!”
Correct!
But take a look at the following stat:
EPL Index defines Liverpool’s style of play this season as: “High general possession, not high up the pitch, very high chance creation, average scoring of goals”.
Brendan Rodger’s Reds are averaging 1.5 more shots per game compared to last season. Liverpool have also seen an improvement in chance conversion – a sign that the Reds are creating easier chances than last season.
Liverpool have also improved massively since the start of the season – Rodger’s men have scored 25 goals in the last 10 Premier League games.
Another very pleasing statistic for the Reds is that the reliance on Luis Suarez seems to be reducing with twelve different players scoring for the Merseysiders in the last twelve games (Via @TheTotalLFC).
Brendan Rodgers is successfully turning possession into tangible results – chance creation and goals!
Data collected from: @TheTotalLFC,@EPLIndex, @WhoScored, @Footballaddicts
Many managers would come into a club and would simply cast-out members of the playing squad but not Brendan Rodgers.
Perhaps he was forced to give everyone a chance due to the lack in depth of the squad and the lack of the transfer budget but the Northern Irishman made the best out of it.
Rodgers laid down a public challenge to senior members of the squad who were under performing – first it was Stewart Downing, then Jose Enrique and Jordan Henderson and credit to the boys, they all responded by producing their best form since joining the club.
All three responded with their dismay through the press. Stewart Downing had the following to say on the incident: “I was upset but you’d have to ask the manager what he meant by it,” he says.
“I try my best, I’m not one who’s going to run around tackling people, that's not my game, but I always try, I give my best and I’m always available to play, so you really have to ask the manager what he meant”.
Jose Enrique spoke of his anger towards Rodgers’ comments recently: “When the manager said what he did, of course I was angry. I thought to myself, 'Okay, now I have something to prove and I must train even harder'. I didn't want to be finished at Liverpool. I wanted to stay here and play under the manager" he continued. "It is true that it worked. He also said some things about Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, but all three of us are in the team now. I know I have to improve to keep my place."
Jordan Henderson, who was offered to Fulham as part of the Clint Dempsey deal summarized it perfectly: “The manager didn't go too far, not at all. What he did was good man management and it has given us all the kick up the backside we needed. It has made sure that the focus is on what we need to do. He was right to say what he said and that goes for the whole team and not just certain individuals.”
We are always reminded of a manager in Manchester and his famous hair-dryer approach which keeps his stars on their toes – Rodgers is making sure that at Liverpool the players must be at their best every week and despite the public groans it seems to be working.
5. Youth
After the summer transfer window closed last September, Brendan Rodgers had huge gaps to fill in his first team squad with positions available across the pitch.
Rodolfo Borrell’s reserves were the biggest beneficiaries as several youth team members joining first team squad with Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom making the jump with distinction.
Brendan Rodgers’ belief in youth was one of the main reasons why he was chosen by FSG as the Northern Irishman continues to give opportunities to Liverpool’s fledging academy graduates.
6. Possession
Brendan Rodgers is a huge believer in “Tiki Taka” – the possession based brand of football made famous by Barcelona.
During his first few interviews as Liverpool boss, Rodgers stated: “I like to control games. I like to be responsible for our own destiny. If you are better than your opponent with the ball you have a 79% chance of winning the game…for me it is quite logical. It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, if you don’t have the ball you can’t score”.
The keyword here is possession!
Well, in Europe’s top five leagues this season, Liverpool are the 3rd highest possession team with an average of 59.4% behind Barcelona and Bayern in the top two positions respectively. (Via @footballadd1cts)
Not bad for the new Liverpool boss who is still within the first seven months of his reign at Anfield.
7. Chance Creation
I know what you’re thinking: “All that possession without creating chances counts to nothing!”
Correct!
But take a look at the following stat:
"Liverpool have had the most shots (425) in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, but 87 of the 98 teams have a better conversion rate (7.6%)" - (Via @WhoScored on January 19, 2013).
EPL Index defines Liverpool’s style of play this season as: “High general possession, not high up the pitch, very high chance creation, average scoring of goals”.
Brendan Rodger’s Reds are averaging 1.5 more shots per game compared to last season. Liverpool have also seen an improvement in chance conversion – a sign that the Reds are creating easier chances than last season.
Liverpool have also improved massively since the start of the season – Rodger’s men have scored 25 goals in the last 10 Premier League games.
Another very pleasing statistic for the Reds is that the reliance on Luis Suarez seems to be reducing with twelve different players scoring for the Merseysiders in the last twelve games (Via @TheTotalLFC).
Brendan Rodgers is successfully turning possession into tangible results – chance creation and goals!
Data collected from: @TheTotalLFC,
