Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers: I Was Right To Criticize Jose Mourinho
Ahead of his side’s crucial match against Crystal Palace, Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has said that he was right to criticize Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho for the Blues’ style of play at Anfield. Rodgers was upset about the defensive style that Chelsea played against Liverpool but what he failed to realize is that a draw would have all but secured the title for Liverpool. Rather than settling for a draw, he pushed forward as is their usual style and were susceptible to counter attacks. Even though the winner came as a result of an individual error, it was still the product of Liverpool pushing too high up the field when they could have sat back and slowed the game down.
Brendan Rodgers on his comments about Jose and Chelsea:
"“I was a bit frustrated but I don’t regret what I said. I am big enough to respect the man Jose is and the manager he is. He is a great man, I know that. It was never personal; it was a professional look at the game. I am never one to say that my way is always the best way. I have a huge appreciation for the way he works and his team. But I still think what I said was right. I knew exactly what I was saying.”"
Rodgers also addressed the criticism about Liverpool not having a plan B for the match:
"“I get the stuff about having a plan B or a plan C all the time but if people think we need to get a six-foot five-inch striker then they are wrong. It is clear to me that my methods work. On any given day, sometimes it doesn’t. I have said that if we don’t win the title this season it will be because of a mistake or a bit of bad luck – and that’s what happened against Chelsea. But the message I gave to the players was not to grieve over the result, because that’s what can happen. We’ve scored 96 goals so far this season, so I think we are doing okay when it comes to creativity.”"
The point that Brendan Rodgers seemed to have missed is that his plan B should have been to sit back and defend rather than push and push for a winner. Liverpool only needed a draw to basically secure the Premier League title but his foolhardy approach and arrogance in search of a win against Chelsea has left the Reds at the mercy of Manchester City.
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