Last season, it was Manchester United who struggled awfully after winning the Premier League title in 2013 and as such, are not featuring in any European competition in 2014/2015.
Now this time, it is Liverpool. The Reds, spearheaded by the prolific striking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge--nicknamed "SAS"--were close to winning their first league title in years, only to see it collapse and have to settle for second. However, the result means that Brendan Rodgers' men are playing in the Champions League again after a hiatus due to poor form.
Simply put, this season has not been kind to Steven Gerrard and his compatriots. Suarez's departure has been keenly felt as the other forwards, including new signings Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli have failed to hit the ground running, despite the former finally netting his first league goal earlier today. And the problems extend all over the pitch, with £20 million signing Dejan Lovren already earning the ire of fans due to shoddy defensive displays.
After taking the lead through Lambert's early goal, Liverpool were undone as Crystal Palace mounted a comeback to not just equalize but to steal all three points. And, unsurprisingly, fans were incensed and the media was full of criticism following the result.
Liverpool under Rodgers pre Moyes sacking: WWWDWWDWWLWWWWWWWWW Liverpool under Rodgers since Moyes sacking: LDWWLWLWLDDLWWLDWLLLL
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) November 23, 2014
Rodgers after 2-0 defeat to Chelsea last season: "Anyone can ask a team to sit and defend." Evidently you can't.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) November 23, 2014
Lovren and Skrtel have made Zamora and Gayle look like Ronaldo and Messi.
— Matt Ladson (@mattladson) November 23, 2014
We need a manager who is prepared to drop Lovren, Johnson and Gerrard - if Rodgers hasn't the balls for that he should move on.
— Stephen Davies (@RushianLFC) November 23, 2014
I'm referring to Lovren-Skrtel-Gerrard as the Triumvirate of Terror from now on and all three goals conceded came from the Triumvirate.
— oh you beauty (@natefc) November 23, 2014
If your spine is made up of Lovren, Skrtel and Gerrard then you aren't going to succeed. Hate to say it, but Rodgers' days are numbered.
— MrBoywunder (@MrBoywunder) November 23, 2014