Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Football Focus

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"There was no atmosphere at Anfield on Wednesday. Carlisle's fans went mad, but the Liverpool fans were apathetic, and it's as though they can't make their mind up about the team. It was a Simon & Garfunkel record - the sound of silence.

"You don't want to say it's a crossroads game for Brendan Rodgers against Aston Villa, but it is."

Chris Sutton
Former Blackburn striker on BBC Radio 5 live

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"There are similarities between Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers  – Klopp lost Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich and then failed in essence. I don’t think we should get carried away with Klopp. 

"What is he going to bring that Rodgers couldn’t? His last season at Borussia Dortmund was a failure.   

"If Liverpool were going to change manager they’d have done it after the final day of last season when they lost 6-1 to Stoke.   

"The next three games – I think it’s getting pretty critical. The Villa and Sion games, we all expect Liverpool to win but if they get thumped in the derby he’s a goner. Liverpool fans are patient so if they turn against Rodgers there’ll be no choice."

Trevor Sinclair
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

"Foreign managers seem so appealing – the mysterious manager that has done well on the continent. But sometimes we should be more insular and see what we have in this country. 

"We’re always looking further ashore. Jurgen Klopp did fail at Borussia Dortmund. 

"Liverpool succeeded that season barring the slip against Chelsea. It's fine margins – Rodgers was a very successful manager and he’s proven himself at Liverpool. 

"He’s swayed away from his own model. He’s buying players who don’t fit into his fold. He’s bringing players in, like Rickie Lambert and Christian Benteke, because they’re available and not because they fit his formation. 

"I don’t understand why get rid of him now? There’s nothing you can do now. You can’t bring anyone in. If a giant football club want to change manager, they need to do it at the right time."

Kevin Kilbane
Former Republic of Ireland player on BBC Football Focus

"I feel overall with Brendan Rodgers, with how he started – with that documentary – and how he talks before and after the games, he doesn’t endear himself to me. It’s almost like a stage show.

"If there was one player that could help him in the Liverpool dressing room, it’s Steven Gerrard. He should still be at the club. If they had sent out the right message and offered him a contract early, he’d still be there now."

Jason Roberts
Former West Brom striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"We've seen varied results under Brendan Rodgers. When he came second, it was with a certain brand and style of football and since then it has gone downhill. 

"I feel like he isn't progressing anymore and you can understand the pressure on him. It doesn't fill you with confidence that this team is going to replicate past performances, especially when Liverpool had Luis Suarez."

Jonathan Pearce
BBC MOTD commentator at Anfield

"Memories in football are ludicrously short in an age where short-term success is constantly demanded. Two seasons ago, Liverpool could have won the league but for nine mad minutes at Palace.

"Brendan Rodgers has made poor signings. All managers do. Twenty nine players from the 2012-13 squad have gone, including twin pillars Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

"They should have beaten Norwich. They were poor against Carlisle. It is a crucial week. But now is not the time to call for a sacking.

"Nor is it at Villa. Tim Sherwood kept them up, took them to Wembley and then had to sell his best players.

"Change is not always for the best."

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Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

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"Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is under pressure because he has not won in 90 minutes for six games and has spent many millions in the transfer market.

"I don't think he can afford to lose any of his next three games - on Saturday against Aston Villa, a Europa League tie with Sion and then a trip to Everton.

"Villa is massive to start with and then we have the Merseyside derby to finish that run. It is a massive 10 days for him. Absolutely massive."

Liverpool make only one change from last weekend's 1-1 draw with Norwich. Christian Benteke misses out against his old club with a hamstring injury, and Danny Ings replaces him. Daniel Sturridge starts after being rested in midweek against Carlisle.

Image source, Opta

Aston Villa bring in Rudy Gestede up front for the injured Gabriel Agbonlahor. The other change from last Saturday's 1-0 derby defeat by West Brom sees Idrissa Gana return from a hamstring injury to replace Carles Gil.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Queen and David Bowie may have written Under Pressure but I think both managers at Anfield today will be feeling it.

Liverpool fans are planning to dress like Jurgen Klopp, the man they want to replace boss Brendan Rodgers, this afternoon. Their team haven't won in five matches (excluding penalties against League Two Carlisle).

Tim Sherwood at Villa doesn't quite have the dead man walking feel of Rodgers yet but boos have been heard at recent games and he needs improved performances and results quickly.

"Pressure pushing down on me;

"Pressing down on you, no man ask for;

"Under pressure that burns a building down;

"Splits a family in two;

"Puts people on streets."