Life’s a Pitch: teething problems at Liverpool

Time is a notoriously limited commodity in football – just ask André Villas-Boas. His slow start at Tottenham, following on from the short-lived reign at Chelsea, have no doubt left him praying for some quick victories to relieve the growing pressure at White Hart Lane.

Brendan Rodgers appears to be a victim of the same impatience. His new Liverpool team are having some teething problems adapting to a different style of play this season and still await a first win after three Premier League matches. Coupled with a self-inflicted striker shortage, optimism is in short supply among many Kopites.

It’s early days under Rodgers, of course, but it seems calls of a disaster can never come too early in football. It prompted our vodcast host Mike Calvin to ask his panelists this week whether managing Liverpool has become an impossible job.

Impossible, no. Difficult, yes. The panelists discuss the Reds’ rocky start to the campaign and assess the challenge confronting Rodgers. One thing the new man definitely mustn’t do is panic, pointed out Mike Calvin, when earlier this week in his blog he advised against signing free agent Michael Owen.

The panelists also suggest that Rodgers will have to compromise his footballing philosophy if results fail to improve several months down the line. Is he changing too much, too soon? Watch the video to see what they thought.

Liverpool, of course, opted against pursuing former Red, Owen, and talking of re-signing legends, Didier Drogba’s uncertain future at Shanghai has led to the inevitable suggestion that he could return to Chelsea. Would this be a good thing? Ian Ridley gives his view.

Another manager enjoying a baptism of fire in a new job is Paul Lambert at Aston Villa. With a lack of resources and poor morale, our panelists discuss Lambert’s prospects of toughing out a difficult winter at Villa Park.

A lack of resources isn’t something you could level at Chelsea and morale is pretty good too. They’re flying in the Premier League. And this might well have something to do with the talented trio of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres, according to our panelists.

Elsewhere, Mike Calvin discusses the reasons behind Ronaldo’s unhappiness at Real Madrid and we predict whether several summer signings will fail or flourish at their new clubs. And we have three copies of the new Life’s a Pitch anthology to give away in our competition.
 

Expert pundit videos

“This is Lambert’s ultimate test”

The Life’s a Pitch team predict a long winter ahead for Villa, but believe that new manager Paul Lambert will steer them through the choppy waters.
Choppy waters >

Re-signing Drogba “would be a retrograde step for Chelsea”

Shanghai are in crisis and struggling to pay Didier Drogba’s wages, but Ian Ridley discusses the prospect of a sensational return to Chelsea.
Bring the Drog back? >

“Mata, Hazard and Torres seem to have clicked”

The Life’s a Pitch team get all excited about Chelsea’s dazzling style this season now Eden Hazard is pulling the strings.
Dazzling Hazard >

“Liverpool scared to play their way out from the back”

It’s been a disappointing start to the season for Liverpool as the players struggle to get to grips with Brendan Rodgers’ new system.
Room for improvement >
 

Lively opinion blogs

Don’t panic Brendan: Owen is not the answer

Having failed to sign a replacement for Andy Carroll, Brendan Rodgers desperately needs a striker. Mike Calvin urges him not to make it Michael Owen.
Fool’s gold >

Ronaldo strop about improving contract, not leaving the club

Following revelations that Ronaldo is unhappy at the Bernabeu, Mike Calvin considers the real reason behind the Portugese star’s display of unhappiness.
Hissy fit >

Cut-price La Liga talent is fuelling Swansea’s bright start

Swansea’s fine start to the season proves how well-suited Laudrup’s bargain La Liga recruits are to Swansea’s style of play, writes Kieran Canning.
Hitting the right note >
 

Competition

Win a copy of the Life’s a Pitch anthology!

An anthology of great football stories from many of Life’s a Pitch’s best contributors is now available. Win a copy here.
Passions from the press box >

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