John Aldridge believes something has to change to halt the slide at Liverpool but does not subscribe to the theory that the time has come to dump manager Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool legend John Aldridge has called on the Reds to off-load misfiring striker Mario Balotelli in the January transfer window, but has insisted that manager Brendan Rodgers deserves to be given time and a few quid to spend in the transfer window next month to revive his side’s flagging fortunes. Aldridge enjoyed a stunning scoring record in his brief stint at Liverpool in the late 1980s and early 90s, but that has not been replicated by the misfiring Balotelli, who has failed to score a Premier League goal since his surprise 16-million-pound move from AC Milan last August.
“Get rid of Mario Balotelli (if anyone will have him) and get rid of Fabio Borini,” former Republic of Ireland striker Aldridge told sundayworld.com.”It is pretty clear neither are going to give Liverpool what they want in terms of goals, so get penalty box operators in who can save this season for Liverpool.”
“I think Liverpool need two strikers in the January transfer window and if they get rid of Balotelli and Borini and get decent money for them, they could get those two in.”
“It is possible to sign top players at this time of the year. Luis Suarez was signed in January 2011, so it shows what can be done.”
Pressure has been mounting on Rodgers in recent days after Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages and then lost 3-0 to Manchester United on Sunday, but Aldridge believes the Reds manager has earned the right to go through a sticky patch.
“Liverpool’s season is in serious danger of spiralling out of control, but I do not subscribe to the theory that the time has come to dump Rodgers,” he added.
“I believe the owners have to give him the opportunity to put this right. I think Brendan’s success in pushing Liverpool so close to the title last season means he deserves to be given the chance to turn it around.”
“I know the supporters are losing faith with the coach who was being hailed by some as a tactical genius when he picked up the Manager of the Year award a few short months ago but changing everything right now might not provide the quick fix Liverpool clearly need.”
“My advice would be to sit tight, even if it’s hard to do that at this moment. Give Brendan a few quid to spend in the transfer window next month and hope he does a better job of identifying players than he did last summer.”
“As Alan Pardew has shown at Newcastle this season, even seemingly impossible situations can be turned around and sacking a manager is not always the answer with more than half of the season still left to play.”
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