Brendan Rodgers Must Not Be Allowed to Walk Alone by Liverpool Owners

"You'll Never Walk Alone?" Rich-sounding song—when you hear it at Anfield—and a nice sentiment in the title. But you ask Brendan Rodgers how it feels to be Liverpool manager right now and I guess he'd be singing a different tune. Something a bit more like "Only The Lonely."

He'd probably also be giving vent to something rather more forthright than the reasons he was able to give for the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United which has put him under what the newspapers call "mounting pressure" ahead of a very difficult Capital One Cup tie at Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Here's one passage from his post-match press conference at Old Trafford: "With the emphasis of the team, it is clear to me that we are searching to find solutions. The players are working hard and giving everything...I can't fault their commitment."

Meanwhile, the scorn rains down on these industrious fellows. The first newspaper I picked up after the weekend gave not one of Liverpool’s outfield players more than five out of 10—and every United player a minimum of six. The second gave Louis van Gaal's players an average of 7.1 and Rodgers' lot 5.3.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Yet everyone seemed to agree United goalkeeper David de Gea had been the man of the match, and another indicator that the score told an incomplete story—apart from the fact that United's second goal was offside—was Liverpool had more shots both on and off target than their hosts.

Rodgers is, however, down—so he and his players must be kicked. It's the way we work in the Premier League (and, for all I know, its equivalents across Europe).

What would trouble me if I were a Liverpool supporter, however, is it appears to apply to my club in spite of our anthem's distinct and beautiful message.

True, there have been no placards to compare with those calling for the dismissal of Alan Pardew from Newcastle United a couple of months ago before his team began an improvement so sharp they stand above Liverpool despite Saturday's defeat at Arsenal.

But the crowd has gone strangely silent, as if reflecting a view among the American ownership that, if things continue like this, they may have to take a difficult decision about Rodgers' future.

In which case, it's not right. Rodgers deserves support. It was, after all, only seven months ago that he nearly guided Liverpool to their first English title since the Premier League was the First Division, and while they have made a swift departure from the Champions League, it was him who got them into it.

With crucial help, of course, from Luis Suarez. Who, through no fault of Rodgers', has gone.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Not to mention Daniel Sturridge, whose injury Rodgers did not, so far as we know, cause. But it's probably just a matter of time before the manager is blamed for it. Already he is said to have a fractured dressing room.

There have been tales of a row in The Sun (via the Daily Star's Jack Wilson) between new central defender Dejan Lovren and captain Steven Gerrard, who is also supposed to be unhappy with both the downward direction of the team and the board's slowness in offering him a new contract at the age of 34 (it is on the table now but has not been signed).

TIM HALES/Associated Press

There is a sense the knives which once did for Roy Hodgson are at least being sharpened for Rodgers—Liverpool, once the very models of stability, are on their third manager since Rafael Benitez went in 2010—and it's time for the people at the top of the club, led by John W. Henry, to reassert traditional values by defending the Northern Irishman and saying what he unfortunately had to say for himself before the visit to Old Trafford.

Rodgers had to sit in front of the press on that occasion and assert they couldn't get anyone better for the job of lifting Liverpool and putting them back where they believe they belong.

He proved it last season by running Manchester City as close as Liverpool did for the title, and it's ridiculous for his credentials to be questioned less than a year later. He shouldn't be walking alone. 

He should have the full-hearted backing of Anfield and all who sail in her—noticeably absent from the Champions League failure to replicate history against Basel the other night—behind him. Starting with the men in charge.