Rodgers Fires Back at Haters

Having picked up a much needed victory against Aston Villa, Brendan Rodgers has publicly noted that there is a conspiracy to get him sacked. Which is interesting, because typically a conspiracy is a quiet, back channel sort of affair, and the narrative calling for Rodgers to be replaced has been about as public as it gets. What with the hashtagtivism and all.

Speaking after the Villa match, Rodgers said, "I am pretty confident that there is a group of people that don't want me to be here as manager." Well, yes. It is probably fair to say that the majority share of fan and pundit opinion shifted against Rodgers over the last week or two. He wasn't finished, though.

"The hysteria around ourselves is interesting to note. Myself and the players stay very calm and work very hard, and they got their rewards.

"I am talking about people outside of here."

The Guardian, who picked up this story, are pontificating that Rodgers is referencing the former-Liverpool punditry circuit here. That group would include people like Jamie Carragher, Graeme Sounness, Jamie Redknapp, and basically anyone who played for Liverpool and has had a microphone shoved in their face over the last few weeks. Considering Liverpool's performances, though, is there any surprise that pundits--people who are paid to talk about Liverpool's performances--are highlighting Liverpool's performances as reasons why Rodgers may not be long for the manager's seat?

With Liverpool having struggled to accumulate 11 points from the opening seven games, it is not exactly ridiculous to suggest that Rodgers may be on the hot seat. That is without even discussing the manner in which those points were accumulated, or how this stretch of worrisome performances dates back to last season. Sometimes spades are actually shaped like spades.

In fairness, it must be very difficult indeed to be constantly scrutinized on a 24-hour, global social media cycle. Who wouldn't get a little testy from time to time, and jump all over the rare chance to wag one's finger at the haters? Rodgers is human, reportedly, so we're not fussed by his calling some people out. It is probably healthy that he lets his hair down a bit here. In fact, if it was his anger that drove Liverpool's offensive performance against Aston Villa, then perhaps he should keep finding reasons to be annoyed at people.