Refs to Punish Bad Behaviour?

Manchester United Players Intimidating The Ref As Per Usual

Apparently, a concerted effort by the English Football Association (FA), Premier League (EPL) and Football League (EFL) aims to stamp out "intolerable behaviour" by players and managers during the coming season.
I'll believe it when I see it.
For far too many years, players and managers have been allowed to get away with a variety of disciplinary offences with the aim of intimidating referees and influencing their decision making.

First Impressions

Frustration for Herr Klopp

After a couple of weeks in charge of the team, and with three games now under his belt, how are the team faring under our new manager? My impression so far is that things could be better—but they could also be a lot worse.
The teams that we've played so far, Spurs (away), Rubin Kazan and Southampton (both home) have provided reasonable opposition, and perhaps three draws, all things considered, isn't the end of the world.
Here's why I have optimism going forward...

Klopp A Load of This

Herr Klopp has arrived at Anfield

To the surprise, it seems, of just about no-one, Jürgen Klopp has been appointed as Liverpool's new manager.
In my last post, I was hopeful that we might choose to appoint a British manager to the position. That Herr Klopp has been installed is not the worst decision ever made. In fact, I like what I've seen of him so far. In particular, he seems to be a no nonsense kind of guy, with a good sense of humour and a motivational approach vaguely reminiscent of the great Bill Shankly.
For example, in his press conference, he was at pains to point out that fans and players "have to change from doubter to believer" if he's to achieve his goals. I agree with that 100%—belief, particularly the squad's self-belief, in my humble opinion, is the foundation upon which success is built. If you lower your expectations and talk down your abilities, you will never win a thing. As a fan, I will certainly give him the benefit of the doubt and believe in him and his approach.

Farewell, and Good Luck, Brendan

Rodgers in Happier Times

After the United game, I finally came down on the side of those who recognised that Brendan Rodgers wasn't the man to lead the club to success.
That wasn't the first time I felt frustrated by Rodgers management. The way we went out of last year's Champion's League group stage also left a sour taste in the mouth. Don't forget that before last season, we had beaten Real Madrid in every single European match we had played against them—and that included the 1981 European Cup final. How many teams can make that claim? Yet, after a 0-3 opening home drubbing, Rodgers threw in the towel for the return leg (although, it has to be said, the second string he selected for that match performed a lot better than expected, but still lost 1-0). He then followed that game up by having the first string lose to Chelsea that weekend. A total failure of both strategy and tactics. And let's not even mention our pathetic performances against Basel and Ludogorets, neither of whom should have presented any problems whatsoever. As Jamie Carragher observed:
It baffles me when teams are more interested in qualifying for the competition next season than doing their best in the competition they are already in. The reason players love the Champions League so much is the thought of playing in an arena such as the Bernabeu.

Come in Mr Rodgers. Your Time is Up...

Rodgers: Absolutely No Clue What Liverpool Means

Five games into the new season, millions more spent in the transfer market, and already we're wallowing in mid-table mediocrity.
Today, United fielded a starting team with no recognized striker and with the same makeshift central defence that has looked so vulnerable all season. Here was an opportunity to take the game to United, play the high pressing game, run them ragged and put them under some pressure. So how does Rodgers approach the game? He parked the bus! Absolutely pathetic!
Today, Rodgers demonstrated a number of characteristics that, to me, put his future as Liverpool manager under serious doubt.

Another Daft New Offside Rule

Simplicity itself

It seems that there is to be a new Offside Rule coming into effect for the Premier League this season. Apparently, a player in an offside position is only to be ruled offside if he:

1. Clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an opponent or;
2. Makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball.

Benteke? Are you serious?

A perfect fit for Rodger's style of play. Not.

I just don't get this.
Apparently, we're about to splash the vast majority of our Sterling windfall on Villa's Christian Benteke.
Not that he's a bad player, because he's a great player. Is he worth the £32.5M required to release him from his current contract? Well, possibly not when you consider the calibre of player that kind of money buys you.
More to the point, how would he benefit the side?
When Rodgers took over at Anfield, the first thing he did was to end the Liverpool career of a very similar player: one Andy Carroll. Both Carroll and Benteke thrive in aerial combat, winning headers, beating-up centre-backs and hitting pile-drivers towards goal. Neither of them fit into Rodgers' system of quick-passing interplay in the final third. So if Andy Carroll was the wrong kind of player for us, how is Benteke the right player?