1. Have Liverpool’s targets for the season changed?
The expectation from Fenway Sports Group last summer was to retain their place in the top four and secure Champions League qualification. Despite their poor form, there will be no reassessing of goals from FSG. They have to get back in the Champions League by finishing in the top four or winning the Europa League.
2. How will Rodgers approach the Europa League?
Liverpool have to take it seriously. It might be their best chance of qualifying for the Champions League, plus winning a European trophy would be a boost for their reputation. They have the numbers to compete with a Thursday-Sunday schedule but if they have the quality is another matter.
3. Who had the final say on the club’s summer signings?
For all the talk of Liverpool’s transfer committee and the policy the club follow with their preference for buying young, unproven talent, the buck stops with Rodgers. He might have different ideas to those on the committee — Michael Edwards (head of analysis), Dave Fallows (head of scouting), Barry Hunter (chief scout), Ian Ayre (chief executive) and Mike Gordon (FSG board member), but he doesn’t get players imposed on him. ‘We will never bring in a player here who the manager doesn’t want,’ Rodgers said. ‘That’s credit to the owners and the others at the club. We work very closely together.’
4. Why does Rodgers persist with Sterling alone up front?
Sterling has speed and scored 10 goals last season. He was prolific during his time as an academy player and on the opening day of the season he scored in a central role against Southampton. On that day, it was being said he and Daniel Sturridge could form a new ‘SAS’ partnership. If he had taken his chances against Manchester United on Sunday, Rodgers’ decision would have been vindicated.
5. What were they thinking buying Lovren and Balotelli?
Nobody was saying Dejan Lovren was an embarrassing purchase in July when he arrived for £20m but his start has been a calamity. Rodgers’ assertion he was Jamie Carragher’s natural successor looks flawed. Liverpool improved when Balotelli (below) came on at Old Trafford but what you see with him is what you get. He won’t score 20 goals a season, he won’t run himself into the ground and is liable to command negative headlines. The experiment needs to be cut short but which club would take him?
6. Who should they buy in January?
They need a goalkeeper, a top-class central midfielder and a striker. In an ideal world, Petr Cech would be the goalkeeper but Chelsea are reluctant to do business with Liverpool. He is also 32, a negative in terms of his possible recruitment. Liverpool have Divock Origi on loan at Lille but there is little chance of him arriving next month. It would also be unfair to expect an untried 19-year-old to transform the season.
7. Are funds available and will Rodgers be trusted with them?
There isn’t a great deal of money available but they could raise funds by, say, selling Fabio Borini. A more pertinent question is which players would want to come in January with Liverpool’s form being so wretched?
8. How bad are the issues in Liverpool’s dressing room?
Liverpool have been knocked out of the Champions League, they have no chance of winning the Premier League and their form has been awful — no dressing room would be happy given those circumstances. There has been huge change in terms of personnel and the spirit of last season has not been recreated. Perhaps a night out would clear their heads but there is no opportunity to do that, with a relentless period of games this month.
9. Will Gerrard extend his 17-year stay at Anfield?
Still too early to answer. He will make his decision in his own time. If he stays, it will be because he believes he can still contribute next season.
10. Is John W Henry’s trigger finger beginning to twitch?
Henry is the most well known of Liverpool’s owners but he is not as hands-on as he used to be. The key FSG figures are Tom Werner, Liverpool’s chairman, and the influential Mike Gordon. FSG will back Rodgers because he is their man but they will not shirk from making decisions. Patience is not limitless when results are bad and money is at stake. – Daily Mail