On borrowed time: Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces fight to save his job
Juergen Klopp waiting in the wings as club denies approaching former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti
Beleaguered Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers faces a fight to save his job as Aston Villa visit Anfield on Saturday.
Rodgers’ side have been deeply unconvincing this season, struggling both for goals and for any sense of the attractive attacking style which their boss brought to Anfield when he arrived from Swansea in 2012.
The Reds have gone four league matches without a win, suffering morale-sapping defeats against West Ham and Manchester United in the process, and needed a penalty shoot-out to avoid an embarrassing loss against fourth tier minnows Carlisle in the League Cup at Anfield on Wednesday.
The manager knows the challenge. He’s been here a few years now. He knows what’s expected
Liverpool have been swift to deny reports that former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been approached to take charge.
But Juergen Klopp, recently of Borussia Dortmund, is another potential replacement eyeing the Anfield job and it is increasingly apparent that Rodgers is on borrowed time unless results improve dramatically.
Last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Norwich left Rodgers’ team 13th in the Premier League, and failure to beat Villa would leave the manager in serious trouble.
First-team coach Gary McAllister, a former Liverpool player and Villa assistant manager, understands the expectation levels at Anfield.
“The manager knows the challenge, he knows the job,” McAllister said. “He’s been here a few years now. He knows what’s expected.