Friday 18 September 2015 18:03, UK
Sky Sports pundit Phil Thompson thinks the criticism of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers following his side’s disappointing start to the season is just, but insists he deserves more time to turn around the club’s fortunes.
Back-to-back league defeats at home to West Ham and away at Manchester United have piled the pressure on Rodgers, who saw his side draw 1-1 against Bordeaux in the Europa league in midweek.
However, Thompson believes Rodgers should be allowed to see the job he started in 2012 through as long as the results improve.
"I believe he deserves more time," the former Liverpool defender said. "You can't let the man spend all that money and bring all those players in and then five, six or seven games in he has to move on.
"That decision can only be determined on results and he has to turn round the flow.
"I believe he should be given the opportunity to see it through, but the bells will be ringing by Christmas time if fortunes have not turned round. I don't need to tell Brendan that, he will understand that, but results have to pick up.
"We've got Everton coming up in two weeks' time and that will be a massive game. That is going to need far more application and attitude from the players than what they showed at Old Trafford."
Liverpool started the season in promising fashion with victories against Stoke and Bournemouth followed by a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
I believe he deserves more time. You can't let the man spend all that money and bring all those players in and then five, six or seven games in he has to move on.
But a 3-0 home defeat to West Ham and a 3-1 loss to rival United at Old Trafford have seen Rodgers tactics come under criticism from pundits, including Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher.
When asked whether the criticism of Rodgers has been harsh, Thompson responded: "No, after the start we made you can't lose 3-0 at home to West Ham. That was as big a shock as losing 6-1 at Stoke at the end of last season.
"With due respect to West Ham they are not one of the big-hitters but we had one shot on target in 90 minutes - that set alarm bells ringing.
"Everybody's right to be unhappy at what they've seen, he added. "Brendan will know and understand it's not good enough for Liverpool and to lose in a whimper to Manchester United wasn't good enough either.
"The players on the fringe of the first-team will be knocking on the door and demanding that they play.
"I would imagine there will be changes and one of the great things is Daniel Sturridge should be very close so does he risk him to start?
"If he does start where's he going to play him? He can't play him where Danny Ings played out on the left he has to start closer to (Christian) Benteke."
