More than one factor can play a part, but just vote the option which answers the question to the greatest extent.

I think the main problem was transfer policy. We don't (or can't) attract the best, i.e. 2nd tier world class, players. An example of this would be Alexis Sanchez, who chose Arsenal despite us offering him higher wages. In addition, there are other deal-breakers that have happened over the years in which a player hasn't come because we couldn't pay the higher wages those players demand.

Not only is Fenway Sports Group very rich, Liverpool's worldwide appeal is still greater than that of Chelsea and City (at least, right now). We've got a similar amount of foreign fans to Arsenal and less than Man Utd. Still, our income from the brand abroad is astronomical. Couple that with the money from the new Premier League TV rights and last year's Champions League qualification, and we should have enough money to buy some very good players capable of keeping us in the top four.

Brendan Rodgers, although naive occasionally, is tactically astute, good with player relations and generally a good manager. He is the only Liverpool manager in however many years that hasn't won a trophy in his first 3 years at the club, though. I'm not sure whether he is targeting the Europa level players by his own choice, or because the owners refuse to go after the high tier players he wants. I still want to see what he can do for us next season.

Players performing is comparative to their ability - if Lovren and Moreno are mid table players then have they really under-performed? Not particularly...that's why I'd rather put it down to bad transfer policy in targeting players that aren't good enough to put us into the top four.

This post was edited by dro94 on Apr 20 2015 07:02am

liverpools main problem for me is that they failed to replace suarez with a similar player of his quality... I have no doubt whoever was in charge of transfers at liverpool tried everything they could but there just wasnt anyone of that quality in that position available on the market at the time.

Balotelli and Lambert have made close to zero impact really ... that and the fact that danny sturridge has spent a long time out injured

missing a top-class striker, also suarez isn't replaceable
imo liverpool fans should be patient and not expect to much from that young team they've got
i think they doing quite well , hard to expect a top 4 place against the other top teams
few years ago u were even worse

4 main reasons:

1. They lost Suárez, who was their most important player.
2. They've had to play twice a week this season, affecting the player's performance and physique.
3. The transfer policy they followed was a good idea on paper, but it hasn't turned out well. The only signing I didn't really agree with was Balotelli because if he doesn't work out well then you have much more to lose than you have to win (as seen this season). They should have tried to replace Suárez with someone else, but that's not an easy thing to do.
4. I'm sure that losing the title the way they did last season has had some impact on a psychological and motivational level. Last season players were able to find the energy to give their absolute all in every game because they knew that was the only way to win the title, but this season it isn't the case. They can still fight with their best intentions, but in their current situation it's impossible to have that "win or win" mentality.


I do think that Liverpool is in a decent situation though. With the right transfers here and there, they have a pretty neat team that can grow and perform well in the future.

This post was edited by zarkadon on Apr 20 2015 07:28am

I put the liverfool epic fail on failed transfers along with sturridge injury.

Its unacceptable to buy meh players from southampton and expect them to perform top notch.

They should have risked with a youngster from abroad. Everything coming from premier league is meh. Remember carroll failure, remember even bony's city flop.

Chelski are succesful cuz brought from abroad (spain costa, fabregas, portugal - matic), arsanal brought from spain (their main performer - aelxis cazola, france - giroud)

Liverfool in the meanwhile keep spending shitloads of pounds on meh english players.

This, I feel like most of their transfers have turned out well or will turn out well.

http://e2.365dm.com/15/04/16-9/20/liverpool-transfers-brendan-rodgers_3293078.jpg?20150420130512

Lambert -> Decent back up for that price, don't expect too much
Lallana -> In my opinion a good transfer
Can -> Definatly a good transfer
Markovic -> Hasn't impressed but he is still young
Lovren -> A failed transfer
Origi -> Has yet to play, but is one of our main young talents
Manquillo -> Decent for a loan
Moreno -> Definatly a good transfer
Balotelli -> A few ups and alot of downs, can still go both ways.

They lost the plot after that absurd little amateur hour huddle after the Citeh game last April.

its quite simple..

They have lots of average players..

Their whole defence + gk shouldnt be anywhere near a top

No way rodgers is the problem

This post was edited by Deeben on Apr 20 2015 08:43am

balotelli on the bench