That’s all folks. Andy is off to have some lunch. If you have already eaten, or would like to read while you knock back your lunch, here are some more stories we have published today:
- Is Agüero deadlier than even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
- Fan’s view: Aston Villa have no plan, no direction and no leadership
- Fàbregas tells Ramos: ‘If you have anything to say, say it to my face’
Updated
DonkeyWan asks:
Is the media focus on departed strikers and the addition of new players a red herring? Is it not the decline in form of a number of players from last season – Gerrard, Sterling, Henderson, Skrtel, Johnson, Mignolet, Allen, Coutinho – and their continued use despite indifferent to bad form, the real issue? It’s just every time I watch a game I see those name players sleepwalking through 90 minutes, but afterwards read about the failure of the new signings (when there might have been just two to three new signings actually playing).
Guardian staff I think it's a combination of factors, many related. Suarez leaving, new players struggling and Sturridge injuries might be repetitive but they're all relevant, not red herrings. Suarez and Sturridge scored 52 of Liverpool's 101 league goals last season. That's gone. Their movement, ability and pace also benefited others - Sterling, Coutinho, Henderson, Gerrard - and without them all four have suffered a drop in form this season. It's also relevant to highlight the impact, or lack of, from the new signings. Almost £120m was spent in the summer and, as you say, sometimes only two or three have played. £20m Lazar Markovic, for example, has not featured in the Premier League since September. You can't shy away from what appears to be another missed opportunity in the transfer market by Liverpool.
DennisFranz asks:
Does setting up to avoid a thrashing in Madrid disrespected the competition? I have never known an English team to accept defeat before a ball is even kicked, and it sets a dangerous precedent. What is the point of qualifying for the competition if you don’t want to win it?
Guardian staff
HunterUk asks:
Speaking as a season-ticket holder, the substitutions of Can and Coutinho during the second half were the first time I’ve heard the crowd turn on Rodgers. To me, it seems that it wouldn’t harm the team if Gerrard and Sterling were taken out of the firing line for a while, and I think the team would improve too. The much-maligned keeper and back four of course aren’t playing well, but they’re having to do so much more defending this season due to a midfield which just isn’t functioning. Lucas and Can have to get a chance to put together a run of games now. It will be interesting to see if Rodgers will drop some of the bigger names who aren’t currently firing. Do you think he will?
Guardian staff The evidence so far suggests no but I think it's coming to a point where, as you say, some of those moves will have to be made. Sterling has looked tired in the last few weeks for a start while Rodgers is still trying to find the right balance in central midfield. Like you, those substitutions against Chelsea were the first time I've heard the crowd voice their frustration at Rodgers. It was building once Chelsea took control of the game in the first half.
ramonhimera asks:
Why do you think Rodgers was so reluctant to play Lambert when Balotelli was misfiring so badly? If Lambert doesn’t fit into Liverpool’s style of play then why is he there at all?
Guardian staff I don't think Lambert's had a fair chance so far. He was signed ostensibly as Liverpool's Plan B, only for Liverpool to sign another Plan B in Balotelli as the transfer deadline loomed. Lambert was refreshingly open and honest when he spoke to the press yesterday, however, and admitted he wasn't in the right frame of mind when he joined Liverpool (accepting he was going to be a back-up was the wrong approach, he said) and didn't create the first impression he wanted. There's a big chance for him to possibly turn Liverpool's season tonight though.
ChrisAlmighty asks:
I feel many of Rodgers’ tactical and personnel calls smack with a certain amount of pride, playing the same tactics as last season, persisting with Balotelli in a lone role and hanging Gerrard out to dry in that ‘quarterback’ position. He seems loathe to admit these elements are not working now. Am I wide of the mark here?
Guardian staff That certainly appears the case so far this season. One of Rodgers' strengths last season was his flexibility, tactically and with selection, whereas he has been intransigent in those respects this term. To give him his due though, I think it's more a belief that this is the right way forward for the team he has available, rather than pride, that is behind his decisions. He admitted after the press conference last night to spending countless hours thinking of new ways to galvanise the team but, when key players have left or are injured, and new signings are struggling to make an impact, then his options are limited.
Hi Andy. Rumours in LA suggest a loan move for an ageing Irishman and a romantic second chance. How feasible is this as a short-term fix until proper forwards are found in the summer?
Guardian staff Updated
steviedicko asks:
“Hi Petr, Brendan here... Rodgers, Petr, Brendan Rodgers, from Liverpool. Anyroad, just wondering if you fancied leaving Chelsea and getting a game in goal for us? Who am I playing at centre-half? Well we have that chap who played for France in the World Cup... no, the other one, Varane is at Real Madrid... and Martin, we have Martin... no, not Demichelis, Skrtel, makes about the same number of mistakes though, eh, lol, and will keep you on your toes. But, the good news is that they are likely to be on the bench and I’m going with Toure and Lovren from now on for “solidity”...
...Petr.
....Petr????”
*hangs up disconsolate.
Guardian staff Got to be worth a try given that his current number one struggles to keep a free-kick or a simple pass in play.
WallyFister asks:
Has Rodgers’ previous mouthing off about how other clubs conduct their business put him under more pressure than needs be?
Guardian staff Not more pressure, no, though I do think his comments about Tottenham spending £100m last summer and not challenging for the title, plus how Liverpool have a structure in place and so wouldn't repeat the Bale situation with the Suarez money this summer, have already returned to bite him on the backside.
TurtleGiant asks:
Do you see any of Liverpool’s current midfield options taking on Gerrard’s mantle (or captaincy) once the manager sees him as unfit to regularly last 90 minutes?
Guardian staff I don't, and that's part of the on-going Gerrard debate that is frequently overlooked. Where are the alternatives either as captain (and Gerrard's influence behind the scenes is impressive) or as a midfielder to compensate for what he brings to the team? Gerrard is approaching the end of his career and Liverpool still haven't found an adequate replacement, a big problem.
In the light of Bruce Grobbelaar’s comments about Simon Mignolet in today’s press, should a new keeper be a priority for Liverpool, either in January or the summer and if so, who would you consider the safest pair of hands available to Spendan and FSG?
Guardian staff Yes. They could do with one in January. As I've mentioned in another reply, Cech would be worth the hassle of a transfer saga with Chelsea.
Updated
gmholder asks:
Is Rodgers getting an easy run from the press because he provides you guys with so many quotes? It seems he can say whatever he wants in a press conference, even if it contradicts the truth. Where does this stop and become something the press look to put out there?
Guardian staff He does get pulled on it but sometimes that can get lost in a report. For example, after the Chelsea game, he was asked what Dejan Lovren or Mario Balotelli had done to justify a recall when Rodgers had previously said some players had been dropped against Real Madrid because of their poor performances at Newcastle. He just replied: "That was my decision”, avoided the follow-up questions on the subject and moved on.
steviedicko asks:
Why have Liverpool not done anything to solve the goalkeeping malaise? One of Rodgers’ arguments in bringing Mingolet in over Reina in 2012 was that he wanted competition. Reina then left and Liverpool have had three further windows and brought in nobody (and allowed Reina to leave for Das Bench-splinterhoffen, Bavaria). Meanwhile the likes of Caballero, Navas, Bravo and Valdes have all been available without even an apparent sniff from L4. This Mingolet chap might have had a hard time but he’s undroppable given his understudy is as much use in goal as a surfboard.
Guardian staff I agree, I don't think the goalkeeping position has been handled well (no pun intended) at all. There was genuine interest in Valdes, providing he could prove his fitness, but in my opinion Liverpool should have gone all out to sign Petr Cech the moment he was dropped from the Chelsea team for their first game of the season at Burnley. Whether Chelsea would have helped Liverpool strengthen their team is another matter entirely.
Is it time the club become more truthful regarding the transfer committee as time and time again some of the scouting and signings made have been sharply underwhelming? Who is a part of this committee and does Rodgers actually have the final say as some believe he does since last season’s epic performance in the league?
Guardian staff It's a four-man committee comprising Rodgers, chief executive Ian Ayre (who must surely be there only for the financial side of things), head of analysis Michael Edwards and head of recruitment Dave Fallows. Rodgers has the final say, he has said, as surely he should. He's the only one who has to front up about the signings to supporters after all. And, yes, their transfer record is underwhelming to put it mildly.
Hamann asks:
I unfortunately (?) missed the game against Palace. Can Carragher’s comments be taken seriously? I think there is a difference between a bad performance and a gutless one.
Guardian staff Rodgers took Carragher's comments seriously enough to answer back last night, insisting his Liverpool team did have character and spirit and, boldly, said they would prove it against Ludogorets. Carragher was still Liverpool vice-captain under Rodgers two seasons ago so when he accuses the team of being weak, bullied and lacking leadership on the pitch (and this is a team captained by his mate) then it does resonate.
gmholder asks:
Is Rodgers getting an easy run from the press because he provides you guys with so many quotes? It seems he can say whatever he wants in a press conference, even if it contradicts the truth. Where does this stop and become something the press look to put out there?
Guardian staff Rodgers finished second in May, was named the LMA's manager of the year, and is now being asked questions about whether he fears the sack, whether Liverpool messed up their summer transfer policy and why he hasn't found a settled, balanced side. I don't see that as getting an easy ride from the press.
steviedicko asks:
The press were very keen to label Liverpool starting XI as a weakened side against Real Madrid. Yet since that game there has been clamour for the likes of Lucas and Toure to play and now it seems they will. With this in mind, do you ever wonder about the futility of life?
Guardian staff
Nashalot asks:
Will Rodgers start with the same formation? I’ve been really wanting him to play with two strikers regularly. He’s tried it once or twice but the issues seem to be more than just about the personnel.
Guardian staff He hasn't that many options in attack tonight with Balotelli and Sturridge out. Only got Lambert and Borini here, though he could move up Sterling (who has looked tired lately).
caradona asks:
The opinion pieces reacting to Liverpool’s miserable season thus far are focussing on the failure to replace Luis Suarez with a similarly expensive, world class attacking player. I know Liverpool were in for Alexis, to your knowledge did the club target any other proven, world class attackers? Or do FSG avoid them based on wages/lack of resale value?
Guardian staff Sanchez was the main target and considered the best available replacement for Suarez but wanted to join Arsenal instead. Plenty of others were explored but, as Rodgers has said, it was a question of availability and affordability (so a "yes" then to your final question). I don't think anyone expected Liverpool to bank £75m for Suarez and spend a similar amount on one player. That wasn't feasible. Rodgers wanted to strengthen the squad and younger players were chosen but that doesn't explain to me why, having known there was a very good chance of Suarez going as soon as he signed his last contract in December, Liverpool ended up with Mario Balotelli in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Is Brendan Rodgers’ devotion to Gerrard and his dreadful current form his biggest failing this season? Despite being a club legend, he has looked mentally and physically done since that slip.
Guardian staff This isn't meant to sound flippant but there are more problems with the Liverpool team right now than just Gerrard's form. But, yes, playing the captain consistently in the play-maker role, and usually for 90 minutes at a time, is something that needs to be rectified. I said in a piece on Rodgers/Liverpool on Monday that Gerrard's long-term replacement should already be in the club, to learn from the midfielder and to allow Liverpool to use Gerrard more effectively either further up the pitch or for shorter bursts.
ReyLuis asks:
Do you feel it is last chance saloon for Rodgers tonight? Or do you feel his saving grace will be a lack of available alternatives?
Guardian staff I don't, no. Far too early for that but, as Rodgers said himself after Palace, he's not immune to the sack if results don't improve and the pressure going into Saturday's game against Stoke will be huge without a decent one in Sofia tonight.
Damian Szymandera asks:
Can you explain Rodgers’ comments about buying new players in January? Liverpool not looking to sign any new players at all or January is not something Rodgers is looking at at this moment in time?
Guardian staff He just meant he's not looking at new signings at this moment in time. His quote was along the lines of "as soon as Sunday's game finished my focus was on getting a result in the Champions League."
JayMajethiya asks:
Brendan Rodgers has always gone for the exact same system from the start of the season. Failure after failure yet no change. I want to see the change today. With Gerrard in an attacking midfield role with Emre Can and Lucas Leiva holding the midfield. Your thoughts?
Guardian staff I would expect changes tonight, with Rodgers perhaps looking to grind out a result against a Ludogorets side that was decent on the counter-attack at Anfield and is having a good domestic campaign. I thought he made life unnecessarily complicated for himself with team selections in Madrid then at home to Chelsea.
mike65ie asks:
Given how deluded Rodgers appears to be about the qualities of his captain (a deep midfielder who makes no tackles or interceptions and can’t carry the ball ) is there any chance of seeing a Gerrard free staring 11 tonight? Emre Can surely deserves a berth.
Guardian staff The Gerrard question was put to Rodgers at the pre-match press conference last night and he reiterated that the captain is not picked on sentiment. He still needs to find a more balanced central midfield, however, and Lucas' return tonight indicates there will be an impact on where Gerrard plays. Perhaps whether Gerrard plays too, as Rodgers made a point last night of stressing the 34-year-old cannot be expected to play three games a week. On that basis, it will be Ludogorets or Stoke that he misses.
Siddharth Upasani asks:
Hi Andy. What should Liverpool be more worried about: their defence or attack? Ludogorets may not be the strongest of opponents - I personally was hoping Liverpool got the Bulgarians during the draw - but they beat Basel, and should have got something against Real Madrid. Also, should Rodgers just play all his second-choice players? Surely, Borini, Can, Lucas, Brad Jones, Toure can’t do worse than Lovren and co.?
Guardian staff Hello Siddharth. Don't think Rodgers is in a position to field a second string team again as he did at Real Madrid. That said, Kolo Toure and Lucas Leiva are expected to start tonight when, as the manager said last night "We'd take a scrappy win." A return to the days of solid, resilient European away displays is required from Liverpool in Sofia.
Andy Hunter is online and ready for your questions
Guardian staff Hello all. Big night for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers against Ludogorets tonight so any questions welcome. A disclaimer first - the hotel wifi occasionally disconnects so if I disappear for a short while I'm not ignoring you. Cheers.
Andy will be online from 12pm GMT to answer your questions
Andy is on his way to Sofia to watch Liverpool play Ludogorets. He was speaking to Rickie Lambert yesterday about the match and Liverpool’s poor start to the season:
Rickie Lambert expected a Liverpool squad containing eight new players and one Luis Suárez-shaped hole to click into place post-Christmas. He knows Brendan Rodgers’ team no longer have such luxury, and that a bleak winter will blow through Anfield unless they deliver against Ludogorets Razgrad. Pressure is on in Sofia and the margin for error is diminishing by the game.
“It is massive to stay in the Champions League, it’s huge,” says Lambert, likely to lead the line at the Vasil Levski Stadium in the absence of the injured Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge. “We have waited so long to get in the Champions League and we have got a chance, as bad as the league position is now, to turn it around.” Continue reading
Andy also heard from Brendan Rodgers, who is not happy about Jamie Carragher’s criticism of his team:
Brendan Rodgers has countered Jamie Carragher’s withering criticism of Liverpool by insisting his team does possess character and will prove it when attempting to preserve their Champions League status against Ludogorets.
Liverpool visit the Bulgarian champions on the back of four successive defeats and requiring a first win in four Champions League games to keep qualification in their own hands. Lucas Leiva and Kolo Touré, two players who impressed at Real Madrid only to return to the bench for the following Premier League game against Chelsea, are expected to return to the starting lineup in Sofia with Rickie Lambert leading the attack in the absence of the injured pair Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge. Continue reading
Here are some reports from last night’s games:
- Apoel Nicosia 0-4 Barcelona
- Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Ajax
- Manchester City 3-2 Bayern Munich
- Schalke 0-5 Chelsea
-
CSKA Moscow 1-1 Roma
- Roundup: Nani scores superb solo goal for Sporting
And here are tonight’s fixtures:
- Atlético Madrid v Olympiakos
- Malmo v Juventus
- Basel v Real Madrid
- Ludogorets v Liverpool
- Zenit St Petersburg v Benfica
- Bayer Leverkusen v Monaco
- Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund
Drop your questions into the comments section below
Right, I'm done. I've not had anything to eat yet. Thanks for all your questions and apologies for not replying to them all. Tried to get through as many as possible. Cheers.