10 Biggest Brendan Rodgers Mistakes As Liverpool Manager

6. Losing Gerrard Before He Left

Steven Gerrard was as much a totemic, talismanic figure for the Kop towards the end as he was a valuable player. At 35, he wasn't quite the dogged midfielder he used to be, but Gerrard had a way of galvanising the younger, newer players, playing the elder statesman role that got the team and fans on side with the team and, consequently, Rodgers. In return for his ongoing loyalty, turning down chances to move to Chelsea, Rodgers totally screwed Gerrard over. It made Stevie G's decision to leave Anfield for the bright light and big bucks of LA Galaxy all the easier when his manager only seemed to play him when he felt he absolutely had to, more out of a sense of obligation than anything else. Gerrard wasn't still the fastest on the pitch, but he did play an important part as captain, and would probably have been a decent ambassador for Rodgers if he was allowed on the pitch more regularly. Instead, Rodgers shot himself in the foot by frequently putting out teams that didn't gel, because they didn't have that figurehead of Gerrard to unite them.