Premier League Spotlight previews the weekend's top-flight fixtures, highlighting the key points to keep an eye on as the action unfolds. Under the microscope this week: the incredible reaction to Liverpool's loss at West Brom, Rooney's display against Everton, QPR's reaction to a 5-0 drubbing, and a Song-less Arsenal's trip to Stoke.
Liverpool: Calm amid the chaos
"BRENDAN OUT," some howled on Twitter, their jerking knees clattering against their trembling jaws. Ten-man Liverpool had lost 3-0 to West Brom; Rodgers had not managed to instil his ethos in his first Premier League match in charge. This evoked crisis talk so premature it bordered on time travel. There was worry that the old problems remained, in particular profligacy. Old habits die hard, and Luis Suarez's wild stabbing at the Midlands air when only a few yards out didn't even surprise the optimists.
The nature of the scoreline diverted attention away from straws at which to clutch. Joe Allen, the £15 million signing from the club whose style they are attempting to copy, was eager to receive possession and subsequently distributed the ball intelligently. Trouble was, Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's all-action hero, was the anti-tiki-taka - which was odd given his more considered nature at Euro 2012. Philosophy threatened, Rodgers must dust down the training cones and plot for a bigger challenge: Manchester City on Sunday.
However, the trouble is that they needed a result against West Brom as a platform on which to build: after City they then face Arsenal and Manchester United at Anfield. Come the end of September, their points return could be slender. And with that would come further hyperbole from the mouths of those thirsty for overstatement - something Rodgers is aware of: "I've heard lots about patience and every manager wants that. But nowadays you don't get that."
Against the Premier League champions, Liverpool will be without the suspended Daniel Agger, who has been linked with a move to their opponents. They have, however, been boosted by the news that Martin Skrtel has signed a new contract on Merseyside. New signing Oussama Assaidi could also make his debut, offering much-needed width for the Reds. These developments signify that these are early days of change for Rodgers. Let him be, for now.
Manchester United: Rusty Rooney
"It was the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. It cost us the league and it won't happen again, trust me on that," said Sir Alex Ferguson during the unveiling of Robin van Persie. A 1-0 defeat against Everton followed. Not even the 22 minutes offered to their new recruit could salvage a point, as Arsenal fans cracked a grin while others scratched their heads at the fact Wayne Rooney was left on as he replicated his dire Euro 2012 form. In a week when Danny Welbeck signed a new contract at Old Trafford, the youngster would be forgiven for thinking he should be ahead of Rooney in the pecking order.
Fulham at home on Saturday await: United's chance of a first goal and point. The Red Devils should be on their guard against Martin Jol's free-scoring side. Compared with the game against the Toffees, the test will be less of a physical strain and more technical, with all due respect to David Moyes' men. Under Jol, the Cottagers have emerged as one of the sides to purr over. Indeed, while makeshift centre-back Michael Carrick was battered and bruised on Monday, he faces being turned inside out at the weekend.
Dutch defender Alexander Buttner has been signed to give Patrice Evra a kick up the backside, with the left-back having been on cruise control for the last two seasons. That would, it seems, conclude United's major transfer dealings - excluding Angelo Henriquez - meaning the midfielder so many have pined for will not be brought in. Tom Cleverley has impressed since his return to fitness, shining at the Olympics for Great Britain - form that earned him an England debut. In 'The Brand', Paul Scholes and Carrick, the Red Devils have fine passers of the ball, but they remain without that hardened player to win it back. The rotund Anderson does not look the solution, yet perhaps Ferguson has rubbed out the equation, for the reading of play is the name of the modern game - so says the Scot.
QPR: Panic button
Queens Park Rangers were shellacked 5-0 by Swansea City at Loftus Road. In a completely unrelated series of events, they have since hit the transfer high street to bring in defensive reinforcements. But Mark Hughes might have seen this embarrassment coming, perhaps, as the 33-year-old Clint Hill occupied a starting berth versus the Swans. Tottenham's Michael Dawson (for a fee "in excess of £9 million", say some) looks set to be added, as is Real Madrid's Ricardo Carvalho. One gets the impression these QPR owners are scared stiff of relegation.
The players' chance for redemption, and to alleviate the breathing down Hughes' neck, comes against Norwich City, who were also given a beating on the campaign's opening day. Invariably, the leakiness of both defences piques expectations of a 'goalfest'. In reality, what is more likely is that, out of fear of another humiliation, both sides go into lockdown and a goalless draw ensues. However, ahead of a trip to Manchester City on September 1, Hughes could do with the warmth of three points acquired and the financial outlay this summer warrants more than a point being earned at Carrow Road.
Arsenal: Like flies
There was a smattering of boos at the final whistle of Arsenal's goalless draw against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium. Re-visit that sentence if you wish, in case you fear you misread. If this is what football has come to, then we may as well fold up our replica shirts and attempt to fall in love with dressage. Any major conclusions drawn on the basis of one league match are flimsy at best. One glaring miss - in the case of Olivier Giroud - and you are dubbed the 'new Marouane Chamakh'. While a goal scored at Stoke would muffle the haters, the focus should be on the middle of the park where, with Alex Song now at Barcelona, the Gunners look lightweight. This will certainly be a test of Wenger's players' pluck.
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