COMMENT: Sunday at Stoke City isn't about Brendan. Well it is, but not as much as claimed.

With seven players through the Shankly Gates this summer, to the tune of almost £70 million, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers enters the new season with a big target on his back.

But it shouldn't be about the manager.

He's the gaffer, yes. And the buck stops with him. But it's baffling how the players have escaped scrutiny over last season's pathetic conclusion.

An FA Cup semifinal against Aston Villa. 'This is about Stevie', they all said. 'We want to win the Cup for Stevie', the Reds dressing room trumpeted. But on the day, they were played off the pitch by Tim Sherwood's Villa, who were still facing down relegation at the time.

Then came the big Anfield send-off for Steven Gerrard. And the vows were made. 'This one's for Stevie'. 'We'll give Stevie the send off he deserves'. But at the end of Gerrard's final game at Anfield, Crystal Palace ranaway comfortable 3-1 winners. The performance put up by Gerrard's teammates was pitiful.

And then there was Stoke. The six goals. And the pathetic showing from Gerrard's brothers-in-arms. In fact, it was the Stoke players who showed the departing Red icon the respect he deserved, almost gifting him that final farewell goal.

If ever Liverpool's players were going to show us what they were about, it was that final month of the season. It was bigger than them. It was about Gerrard. The guy who had welcomed each one of them to Melwood. Who had gone above-and-beyond as captain to make sure they were settled. Who had stood in the firing line of the media to defend defeats. This was their opportunity to pay him back - and they failed miserably.

Rodgers, at the Brit, should've played the kids. They would've lost. The scoreline may've even been the same. But they would've performed with dignity and left everything on the pitch for their captain. The lot that ended last season on Rodger' teamsheet couldn't claim the same.

Gerrard's now gone. But the concern has to be, of the 14 which made the Britannia pitch that day, only Rickie Lambert has followed the captain out of Anfield.

The silence of the Boot Room in the media has been deafening. It's like it never happened. Aldo, Carra, Souey, Lawro, none of them have really examined what occurred in those final weeks of last season. It's been a whitewash. The players have been absolved. No finger pointing. No-one's to blame. Amazing.

But glossing over the lack of fight, the lack of respect shown to a departing legend is what leaves Liverpool at the crossroads as they travel to Stoke on Sunday.

Has LFC become a club where such a collapse is acceptable? That those connected, whether they're inside the club or outside in the media, are more comfortable seeking excuses than calling people out?

It's been a good preseason for Liverpool - on and off the pitch. James Milner looks fantastic as the Reds' new No7. Christian Benteke is off to a flyer - and a screamer - since his record arrival from Villa. Jordon Ibe looks every bit the potential world-beater coaching staff at Derby County were claiming.

But is this enough? Does the seven signings made this summer end the culture of mediocrity Liverpool had spiraled into at the back end of last season? There's helluva difference between winning games against Aussie and Asian opposition and facing the Potters at the Brit.

Remember this time last year? The Dortmund game? 4-0 was the result. On paper, it looked like Liverpool would be fine without Luis Suarez. But it all too soon began to unravel.

Then again, maybe the demand for some sort of show of contrition is unwarranted in today's game. Move on. Move on. So Gerrard was let down? So what? He's in LA now. It's a new season. A new era. We've new players and a brand new kit.

But just remember, 12 of the 14 that lost to Stoke have been kept on by Rodgers. Forget the manager, the onus is on them.

For 28 years, in terms of effort, Steven Gerrard gave everything he had when wearing a Liverpool shirt. That's the least fans should demand from each member of today's squad.

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