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It has been reported that Swansea City are keen to sign their former midfielder Joe Allen from Liverpool.

Swansea want a Joe Allen-Brendan Rodgers reunion at the Liberty this summer

The Swans were interested in bringing the Welsh midfielder to the Liberty stadium in the January Transfer window but the move failed to materialize. However, the Welsh club is still very much interested in bringing back the Liverpool midfielder, amidst rumors that former manager Brendan Rodgers may take over the reigns next season.

Joe Allen has been a bit part player for the Reds this season under Klopp. He currently has one year left on his contract, starting from this June, and there have been no talks with respect to the extension of his deal.

Hence, Swansea would look to swoop in and make the move for their former midfielder. The Swans have struggled this season but have been able to crawl their way back to safety under new manager Guidolin. However, it has been reported that Brendan Rodgers is the favorite to replace the Italian next season.

It seems the second coming of Roberto Mancini to the San Siro has not been as successful as one expected. Inter Milan are currently struggling in the Serie A and a failure to qualify for the Champions league would have serious consequences for the Italian manager.

Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez are been considered for the Inter job.

Inter Milan have to finish in the top three to qualify for the Champions league but are currently languishing in fifth place in the table. They are five points behind third placed Roma and are in trouble of failing to qualify for Europe's premier club competition.

In case that particular situation arises, it has been reported that Mancini would be sacked by Inter Milan president Erick Thohir. There have been several replacements being already considered with Ajax coach Frank De Boer being the favorite.

However, out of work Brendan Rodgers and Everton manager Roberto Martinez have also been considered for the job. Rodgers was sacked by Liverpool earlier in the season and Martinez has been under pressure at Goodison Park due to an uninspiring season.

On the other hand, former Manchester City manager Mancini may move to the Premier league if he is sacked by the Italian club.

"@yaniu8: Jurgen Klopp has no idea why Brendan Rodgers played Nuri Sahin as a No 10. #lfc pic.twitter.com/X2WkZZfaXU" .. classic?!! @Rev97Paul

— Richie Hughes YNWA (@RichardHughesUK) October 2, 2015

Liverpool FC has made it known that transfer windows are not their forte. With their recent struggles, Liverpool supporters have urged their club to make some stellar signings that can lift the club. Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, however, has claimed that Liverpool will not take part in much activity during the transfer window, as he “does not want to stockpile players here”. Rodgers believes that there are players within the squad that can help the team succeed in the second half of the season. Although, he states “if there was something there we felt would improve us for the short-term and long-term, we would pretty much do that”.

Brendan Rodgers

On the other hand, however, selling players has been no problem for Liverpool Football Club. Recently two players have made an exit from Liverpool during this January transfer window. Although unofficial, Suso is said to sign a four year contract with AC Milan soon as he was spotted having a medical at the club a couple of days ago. Supporters believe that his departure from the club is a shame as he could have made a huge impact if he had been given the opportunity. Oussama Assaidi, former Heerenveen player, came to Liverpool for approximately 3 million pounds, and is leaving to the United Arab Emirates side, Al Ahli, for 4.3 million pounds. Liverpool managed to make a profit on the player. To the club’s benefit there have been various different offers on the likes of Lucas Leiva from Inter Milan, Fabio Borini from Sunderland and QPR, and Rickie Lambert from Crystal Palace. None of the offers are currently being taken into consideration by Liverpool.

Brendan Rodger’s has made it clear that the injured players returning in the near future will serve as new signings who will help Liverpool triumph. Daniel Sturridge, who suffered a thigh injury back in September was scheduled to make a comeback in November but got injured once more and is now set to return by the beginning of February. One of the key players in last season’s successful title run, having Daniel Sturridge back in the squad would serve as a huge boost for the club. Adam Lallana, new to the club since July 2014, injured his thigh as well during Liverpool match against Leicester on New Year’s Day. 4 goals in 21 appearances for the club, Lallana was starting to settle in. On Saturday, January 17th 2015, in the match against Aston Villa, Adam Lallana made it back into the bench, although Lallana isn’t rumored to start against Chelsea tonight, January 20th 2015, in the first leg of the Capital Cup semi final. Out since Liverpool’s pre-season tour in July, full back, Jon Flanagan, is expected to make a return sometime soon. Although a specific date hasn’t been released, Brendan Rodgers has stated in a press conference that his return is expected “in the near future.” Manager, Brendan Rodgers, has also expressed his sentiments towards the fullback’s injury, as he believes that Jon Flanagan is “absolutely superb, he’s a very important young player for us.”

Having these players make a comeback will give the club a huge boost. After Liverpool’s victory against Aston Villa (2-0, Borini 25’, Lambert 79’) supporter’s faith in top four hopes has been restored. The club is fully expecting to improve their record even more when Lallana, Sturridge, and Flanagan are back!

Last season, Raheem Sterling looked like a top, top class attacker. He was composed in front of goal, made the right decisions even in crucial moments and retained that blistering pace.

Raheem Sterling [Image from flickr by Kamran Hussain]

Yesterday, against United, he was panicky in front of goal and made some poor decisions when he could have made a big difference in the result. This was something which was surprising to a lot of people, as he looked to be a very composed player who was a very good finisher, yet he couldn't get past David De Gea.

Other than the fact that he’s now playing with a much worse squad, in a misfiring system and an uneasy atmosphere, the main difference between the years is the pressure Sterling himself is under.

Last year, with Sturridge and Suarez smashing in goals left, right and centre, Sterling wasn't under that much pressure. Not only is he now under more pressure from the media and the fans as Liverpool’s most important player, he’s now under serious attention from opposition managers in terms of game planning. Seeming as he is far and away Liverpool’s biggest threat, he’s going to be the most tightly marked and watched player, making it harder for him to make an impact.

Also restricting his impact is Rodgers’ system. Whilst last year, Rodgers seemed to stumble upon an lightning fast pressing counter-attacking team because of the pace they had up front and the energy of Suarez and Henderson made it incredibly effective.

This year, after selling the best pressing centre-forward in the world, which was inevitable, Rodgers signed what looked at first to be some very good signings, however the problem is that they have lost the energy and pace of last year. Luis Suarez was perfect for that system, so replacing him like for like was impossible. Rodgers tried to change the team, to make them a patient passing team, though that doesn't suit their best player, Sterling.

Raheem Sterling needs a fast paced game to be at his explosive best, and Rodgers has changed the team to stop getting the best out of him.

Obviously swapping Suarez for Balotelli hasn't helped, as Balotelli drops deep occupying the space that Sterling wants to operate in. Sturridge coming back might help, as it means that Liverpool will have pace up front and a lethal edge which they have packed, meaning that less pressure will be on Raheem Sterling.

Article contributed by:  Elliott Griffiths

Blog: Just Like Watching Brazil

Twitter: @ElliottBCFC

Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday, December 9, after a draw against FC Basel, when a victory was needed to progress the knockout stage.

Brendan Rodgers

The club waited five years to make their debut back into the world’s most prestigious league, and wasted their opportunity. It was a disappointing run as Liverpool managed to win only one out of six games, drawing two and losing three. It was also Brendan Rodgers' debut in the Champions League, as he had never managed a team that has taken part in the competition. It was a difficult situation for the manager to be in, but it does not justify his mistakes.

The Champions League is not the only place where Liverpool struggled, the club is currently ninth place in the Premier League. Recent games have shown that injuries and the loss of Luis Suarez has impacted Liverpool much more than people expected it too. Brendan Rodgers, however, does not seem to be in distress despise the fact that rumors of a replacement have come about. Supporters have begun to think that Rodgers' success last season was due to Luis Suarez and his partnership with Daniel Sturridge.

While Daniel Sturridge’s injury negatively impacted Liverpool, it should not have done so to this extent. During the summer, the manager spent over one hundred million pounds by buying seven new players. Many of those new signings, however, have not yet made a significant influence on the team, while others are not given the opportunity to. Lately, Brendan Rodgers' has made starting lineup selections that have not worked out, and have been criticized. Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno, and Javi Manquillo are usually benched despite the fact that they are clearly qualified enough to start for the club. Johnson who has had mediocre performances thus far is still started before others who have shown more passion on the pitch. Hash tag Rodgers Out has once again become popular, and more Rodgers' out websites are created daily. Though these have become hard times for Liverpool, supporters must back up the manager and players. One cannot flourish and succeed without the support of others.

Brendan Rodgers [Image from Flickr by: WBUR Boston's NPR News Station]

14 points from 10 games, and a goal difference of 0, it is no secret that Liverpool have has a tough start to the 14/15 season. Many have been quick to fault the manager, and blame him for all that is wrong so far this season, however there are other components to the problem that people are not shining light on.

Debates have begun whether Rodgers is actually a tactical genius, or last season was merely due to Suarez and his talents. While last season’s successes were enhanced by Suarez, people shouldn’t credit it them solely on him. Things have changes this season, lack of players due to injury, and the settling in of new players have but Liverpool in a vulnerable position, but that should not be faulted to Brendan Rodgers. He has, however, made some questionable selections for starting line ups that have not worked in our favor. The diamond, which was exploited by Liverpool last season, is rarely used now, and using two strikers up top to intimidate and attack the opposition has been cut to one up top. While last year fans recognized Rodgers for his way with words during interviews, now they criticize anything he says in regards to positives after a defeat.  Some supporters have called for Liverpool to sack Brendan Rodgers by using the hashtag #RodgersOut. Most supporters have helped to put an end to the hashtag and campaign to fire Rodgers, however, they agree he must make some tactical changes in order to succeed this season.

It is completely wrong to attribute Brendan Rodgers for Liverpool’s defeats; the players’ disappointing performances cannot go unnoticed. While last year we relied on Luis Suarez, most of the time, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge also played a crucial part in Liverpool’s title chances.  Daniel Sturridge has unfortunately been struck with injuries and has thus been out for approximately 5 weeks. Sturridge out was more detrimental to the club than everyone, including Rodgers, thought. Liverpool has failed to score goals and create chances without him. Raheem Sterling, people thought, would fill in Sturridges’ shoes while he was out. While the 19 year old might be magical and quite skillful, it is too much pressure on one player to score all the goals for the club. Mario Balotelli, new to the club, was also failing to score for Liverpool, which put him under the microscope of the media, adding immense amount of pressure which did not help his performances. Liverpool players have failed to meet the standards at which they are demanded to play at in order to make top four, and advance in the Champions League. All of which is a matter of effort and desire on the part of the players, not management.

People must understand that Brendan Rodgers knows what he is doing in this period of transition. Fans are too hasty to judge, and criticize his opinions. Last night against Real Madrid, Brendan Rodgers set a starting line up that was not expected, benching captain Steven Gerrard, Vice Captain Jordan Henderson, and Sterling, players who usually start games. While all odds were against the selected team to succeed against the likes of Bale, Ronaldo, and James, they did. Liverpool failed to win the match, but displayed great character, composure, and skill, often showing better effort than Real Madrid.  It was a disappointing match in which Liverpool should have gotten a result. No one expected to be saying that after 93 minutes against Real Madrid with Lucas, Kolo Toure, and Joe Allen in the starting line up. In the interviews that followed the match Brendan Rodgers admitted that he knew what he was doing when he selected the line up, showing people to have faith in him. In Rodgers We Trust, a motto that should be followed not only when Liverpool win, but specially when Liverpool lose or draw. Without the support of the fans a manager will never be able to succeed.