Liverpool FC: Why Brendan Rodgers Was the Right Man for the Club
Brendan Rodgers took the helm at Liverpool on June 1, 2012, and has since gone on to record nine wins in 23 Premier League outings.
An underwhelming statistic, some may say, but forward progress nonetheless.
Results are undoubtedly the single most important statistic in football, and with so much money at stake in the modern game, club executives have grown impatient with their faltering managers.
Prior to Rodgers' reign, the Reds were a club in disarray. They looked disjointed, lost and in dire need of inspiration.
The five-time European Champion has missed out on Champions League football three years on the bounce, has failed to win a major trophy (apart from the League Cup) since 2006 and has seen three managers walk through its doors in the past three years.
Luckily for Rodgers, however, club owner John Henry intends to implement a permanent solution to Liverpool's woes rather than just throw a Band-Aid on it and hope it heals itself.
From the moment the Northern Irishman and his training staff stepped foot into Melwood, there has been an unusual sense of optimism and motivation from fans and players alike.
Emphasis on possession style football and youth development has breathed new life into the club that 6 months prior was on the verge of an internal meltdown.
The emergence of youngsters like Raheem Sterling and Suso from the Academy (through the faith of Rodgers) paired with a host of experienced talent has once again beefed up expectations amongst the Kop.
With a little less than half the season still to play, the Reds find themselves four places and seven points out of fourth place.
Rodgers will be hopeful of securing a few more signatures (via The Guardian) before the January transfer window closes at midnight in a little more than a weeks time.
With the backing of both the owners and fans, Rodgers and his squad could prove to be a dark horse in the race for Champions League football come May.
