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Where do we start? After finishing second, Liverpool had the club's worst start for 50 years and ended the campaign dismally with the worst defeat for over 50 years. In the middle of this disappointing season, there were domestic cup runs to the semi-final stages, early European exits, an unbeaten run that promised a return to the top four with a three-man defence, a lack of threat in attack, underwhelming performances from experienced summer signings, tactical mistakes, high-profile contract negotiations, and failings at various key moments.
The clubs involved in Liverpool setting unwanted records this season is damning, far more so than the statistic that Brendan Rodgers is the first manager since the 1950s not to win a trophy in his first three years in charge. Another automatic Champions League qualification would have easily put to paid to such criticisms, fourth would also have done the same. The manager who brought promise in his first season with a plan that was made more effective with the arrival of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge has struggled in this past campaign. The manager who produced Liverpool's most convincing challenge for the title since the club last won it 1990 looked broken in his last post-match press conference of the season.
The performances of the players in Steven Gerrard's last game at Anfield weren't great and the result was even worse. Stoke City had far more merciless plans for Liverpool and eviscerated the visitors in what can only be described as utter humiliation. Liverpool's recovery to come within two points of Manchester United before hosting them at Anfield fell apart from that 2-1 home defeat onwards in worrying fashion. Eight points from a possible 27 to finish sixth. Would this be the end for Rodgers with three years left on his contract? Not quite according to widespread reports.
The situation seems to be that there will be no review this week, no Director of Football is being looked at, and Rodgers' future is not on the line when the review is eventually conducted into Liverpool's season. This feels a little like Kenny Dalglish's sacking where the legend was safe after a poor end to the season until he wasn't despite two domestic cup finals and a League Cup triumph. Mike Gordon runs the football side with John W Henry in the background, so talks with Rodgers will be held with Gordon and Ian Ayre.
Brendan Rodgers has talent, and if he is set to continue, next season will be one where many Liverpool fans won't be so patient. Three years isn't a evidence of not giving a manager time, but four years? That would constitute being given a real chance in any era, let alone modern football. He's made mistakes and a change is understandable, but an excellent manager lies within Brendan Rodgers, of that I am certain. If Liverpool suffered a few losses in a short space of time as we've witnessed this season, Anfield could become an uncomfortable place for Rodgers to be, though identifying and correctly using better players would greatly help.
At this stage, it's uncertain whether these reports are definitive considering how quiet and absent FSG have been with a review yet to take place. Either way, a firm decision needs to be made quickly before effective work is conducted in the transfer window.
