How good is Brendan Rodgers?

[Goat]

I know Liverpool have some world-class players like Suarez, but they honestly seem to overachieve in relation to the quality of their squad. I could only pick out a very small number of Liverpool players who could push for first-team spots in teams like Manchester City and Chelsea, yet it's Liverpool who are top of the league.

They aren't just winning games either. They're demolishing teams. They also play a great brand of short passing football which has the whole team working together as a powerful cohesive unit. This is in one hell of a stark contrast to our team under Pardew.

So how good does this make Brendan Rodgers as a manager? He spent a lot of his early career in Spain learning the Spanish method of football and even worked under Mourinho. He seems to have the tactical side nailed down and also top notch man management skills, especially in relation to getting Suarez playing at his best again.

At the moment, when you look at Liverpool's position, the quality of their squad and the way they're battering teams with huge numbers of goals, Rodgers must be considered one of the world's most in-form managers at the moment.

It will of course help that Liverpool are the only side in the top 4 who haven't had to deal with CL games this season like other teams have, but that still doesn't shadow over the fact that Liverpool are playing really, really bloody well.

If Rodgers keeps this up I'd love to see him as England manager one day, although his affinity with Northern Ireland may prevent that.

[krully]

I am dreading them last game of the season away. It could be a 6+ hammering by them

[jpg]

Couldn't stand him when he first joined Liverpool but he's got his current bunch playing out of their skin and are deserved of their current league position. It's also worth mentioning his squad costs half as much as Chelsea's or City's.

[overseasTOON]

I am dreading them last game of the season away. It could be a 6+ hammering by them

I think we'll win with an Iron Mike screamer which hands the title to Man City

[Heisen]

He's clearly a very good tactician and man-manager, Liverpool are playing possibly the best brand of attacking football in Europe at the minute, perhaps only behind Bayern. He comes across as a bit of a prat but almost in a likeable way - that documentary they did on Liverpool he reminded of David Brent. Very promising signs so far, he could be on the verge of building a dynasty at Liverpool.

[Yacob]

I think he could become England manager, he had agreed to become a coach if Harry became manager. At least that is what he said in his book.

[overseasTOON]

I think he could become England manager, he had agreed to become a coach if Harry became manager. At least that is what he said in his book.

I thought he said he'd eat his couch if Harry became England manager

[The Rock Lobster]

Next season will tell us.

[beatski]

He's brilliant

its the tactical flexibility that impresses me the most (especially being stuck with pardew's brand of football)

[bodacious benny]

Next season will tell us.

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with this.

He's got Liverpool playing an attractive, effective brand of football with one of the best attacks in the league. Their midfield on paper shouldn't have them anywhere near 1st place. And their defence isn't anything special. But he's instilled belief and style in their play, albeit at the expense of keeping things solid at the back at times.

But doing all that just focusing on the league is one thing, doing it whilst competing against Europes elite at the same timeis another thing.

I'll reserve full judgement until this time next season.

[Goat]

He's brilliant

its the tactical flexibility that impresses me the most (especially being stuck with pardew's brand of football)

Interesting article here about that:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26806404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[beatski]

He's brilliant

its the tactical flexibility that impresses me the most (especially being stuck with pardew's brand of football)

Interesting article here about that:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26806404" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Robbie Savage

[LONDONTOON]

Absolute top class manager, he is everything Pardew is not

[BrendansGoalMachine]

Brendan Rodgers has done a remarkable job, and he's rightly so getting a lot of praise. People will forget that this is only his 3rd season of managing in any of Europe's top divisions.

The start we made to last season was alarming, but there were signs that once we get it right it could be something interesting. It's not just his management but his coaching deserves a lot of credit, the players clearly love playing for him, and the way he's developed the likes of Henderson, Sterling, Suarez and Sturridge deserves a lot more recognition that he'll ever get for it.

A lot of our fans actually compare this team to keegans original Newcastle team. We can't defend to save our lives make no mistake about it, but we just seem to have this belief that we'll out score anyone.

[Holystone...]

Average manager supported by proper owners. Keeping Suarez after turning down £40m was class. Cabaye saga sums us up.

[TBC]

I always thought he "stole" responsibility for the way Swansea played away from Martinez, so had actually expected him to fail at Liverpool. Hard to argue with what he's done mind, turning into a very, very good manager, and if i didnt despise Liverpool i'd happily want him and his style of football to win the league!

[ALF]

Average manager supported by proper owners. Keeping Suarez after turning down £40m was class. Cabaye saga sums us up.

If you think he's an average manager, you have no idea about football.

[Heisen]

Average manager supported by proper owners. Keeping Suarez after turning down £40m was class. Cabaye saga sums us up.

Average manager? What planet you living on?

[Goat]

Average manager supported by proper owners. Keeping Suarez after turning down £40m was class. Cabaye saga sums us up.

Average manager

They're battering teams left right and centre with players like Henderson and Joe Allen in midfield. On paper, Man City's squad and Chelsea's squad are FAR superior, yet it's Liverpool who are top of the table.

Every manager has his ups and downs, and I'm sure Rodgers will too, but at the moment he's got his team overachieving very well. I'm sure virtually no Liverpool fans ever expected to be at the top of the table at this stage of the season.

[Goat]

A lot of our fans actually compare this team to keegans original Newcastle team. We can't defend to save our lives make no mistake about it, but we just seem to have this belief that we'll out score anyone.

I made that same connection too. Just sweeping teams aside with the sheer number of goals.

Mind you, apart from leaking those 3 goals against Cardiff, you guys have done well defensively too with 3 clean sheets in your last 5 games (and 18 goals).