Brendan Rodgers Deserves More Time at Liverpool, Says Former Reds Boss Roy Evans

All signs indicate Brendan Rodgers' time as Liverpool manager is drawing to a close, but former Reds helmsman Roy Evans believes the club would be making an error if they were to axe their incumbent chief.

Evans managed the club through a tumultuous patch between 1994 and 1998, and he told talkSPORT's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast he thinks Rodgers deserves more time to revive his attempt at Anfield success:

"

He’s certainly under some serious pressure. 

Once everyone gets into this stigma that the manager is to blame for everything, people tend to run away with that.

They’ve got to give him maybe just a little bit more time, it’s still very early in the season. You’ve let him spend an awful lot of money, you’ve got to give him a bit more time to see if it will work. Things can turn around in two or three games.

"

The ex-Reds helmsman speaks as one who himself had to endure criticism as he strived to shepherd Liverpool back into their triumphant form of the 1970s, managing a Premier League high of fourth after his first season in charge.

Any hopes of recapturing a top-four stride this season look dim, though, as Rodgers' men currently sit 13th in the English top flight and were forced to penalties in Wednesday's Capital One Cup win over Carlisle United.

Speculation regarding a change of Anfield management is rife at present, with the Daily Mail's Neil Ashton reporting contact has been made for former Chelsea, Milan and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT's Graham Beecroft categorically ruled ex-Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp out of the running, although the Mirror's David Anderson couldn't see him nor Ancelotti accepting the role:

Rodgers led the Merseysiders within inches of the Premier League crown in 2014, but his side just crumbled at the final few hurdles to miss out on what would have been their first top-flight title since 1990.

That remains the Northern Irishman's biggest achievement in the position to date, and Breathe Sport indicates he has certainly had his time to build a successful project since arriving in June 2012:

"

Brendan Rodgers: 2012: "Judge me after 3 years" 2015: Liverpool 1-1 Carlisle pic.twitter.com/7a349cJTOL

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) September 24, 2015"

It's of course hazardous to claim any other selection would have fared any better, but with more than £180 million gross forked out over the past two summer transfer windows, fans may well expect results.

Adam Crafton of the Daily Mail is tempted to sympathise with Rodgers' cause after seeing Liverpool win just two of their six league games this season, however, proclaiming it would always be a tough start to the campaign:

"

Rodgers looks in trouble. But when fixtures came out in June, icky start was obvious. Why back him w/ £100m & then appear to lose faith...?

— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) September 24, 2015"

Just as Rodgers has found out how difficult it can be to recapture the spirit of a club's forgotten legacy, Evans struggled to live up to the standards expected by the Kop during his four-year tenure.

The Reds have looked particularly uninspiring in attack this term despite signing the likes of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Danny Ings, with Squawka attesting to an alarming Reds statistic:

It's a difficult position for owners Fenway Sports Group, who face a dilemma in deciding whether to stick or switch this early in the season, especially with no guarantee a potential Rodgers replacement will bring greater promise.

There's no way of knowing whether the grass truly is greener on the other side for the time being, and as one who's experienced the same frustration, Evans has urged Liverpool to keep their faith in Rodgers' reign.