FIRST THE ENVELOPES and now inspirational letters from the players’ mammies. Brendan Rodgers’ motivational tactics are, well, novel to say the least.
As we all know, Liverpool fell agonisingly short of winning their first league title since 1990 last season and many believed it was Luis Suarez’s 31 league goals which underpinned their challenge.
Well, think again.
Philippe Coutinho has revealed the Reds boss read letters from players’ mothers in the dressing room during the title run-in as motivation. The 22-year-old insists the messages had a profound effect on the players.
“I was so anxious for it to be my turn, for the manager to read the letter from my Mum,” Coutinho told CNN Sport.
“I waited and waited for it. The manager had spoken to the mothers of every player in the team, he’d been reading a message before every game for months and finally my turn had come.”
Coutinho’s turn came in April when Man City were the visitors to Anfield and Rodgers will claim it worked as the Brazilian went onto score the winner in a thrilling 3-2 victory.
“At first, I didn’t know that the manager would be reading a letter from her, then he mentioned her name and I was really overwhelmed. It said she loved me, is proud of me, is always with me and missing me.
“There was more, but those are just the words I needed to hear. It filled me up. The other players were also really moved because every week, regardless of whose mother it was with the message, we were all inspired and emotional.
“We were getting really strong, powerful words and it pushed us so much.”
Such tactics clearly weren’t used this season.
Two very average sides at the moment, the premier league has been in steady decline for a number of years now.
Both teams not in great form but Utd have the knack of winning games this season when they could be drawing or losing them which could be the difference on Sunday but in saying that it is Man Utd v Liverpool and form tends to go out the window in these games and I’m sure both teams will be fired up for it.
Dont care what gary neville thinks.. lvg is a winner
I watched a good bit of this game, it’s the first time I have seen UTD since the beginning of the season. They haven’t improved much. How are they 3rd.
Because the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton etc, their main rivals from last year are playing worse than Utd this season.
No it’s not. It’s because they’ve got 28 points from 15 games and would be top 4 with that tally any other season too.
I wish ye’d actually upload the video of van Gaal’s response. He is so outraged, it’s brilliant!
Sorry, wasn’t up when I first posted.
In fairness he is right to say he has to pay attention to his words. They needed three points from St. Marys and they got them. There is no point in a past player wading in and being critical when they are 3rd in the league. At least wait until after the New Year to bash the team.
Gway they wouldn’t beat Eggs..
It was a dire performance by Utd. However for the 3 clear chances Utd they converted two which has to be seen as good. On a rugby pitch that would be an excellent return, especially if the other side were dominating possession like Southampton were last night.
3rd in the league and facing Liverpool on Sunday with a number of straight wins…its shaping up to be a cracker for both sides!!