Backheel Breakfast: Brendan Rodgers defends Liverpool transfer committee

Liverpool didn’t spend the Luis Suarez money wisely, and the Liverpool transfer committee is taking the blame. The club’s system for deciding on transfers isn’t typical and it’s resulted in some bad signings, so clearly it’s a terrible idea and needs to go away, right?

Brendan Rodgers disagrees. He’s defended the committee and the people who sit on it.

“When I came to Liverpool, I knew 100 percent the model of how the club worked -- but on top of that we’ve got a really good team of people here. They’re good guys who work very, very well. We all work well together and understand the model of the club and how it all functions. We have to look at it over the summer and work out what’s going to help our squad, and to put up a better challenge for next season, a more consistent challenge. That’s something we’ll work together on.”

What’s so bad about the infamous committee? Well, here’s how it works.

Rodgers has the final say on signings, but they are identified by a committee consisting of the manager, chief executive Ian Ayre, director Mike Gordon, head of analysis Michael Edwards, head of recruitment Dave Fallows and chief scout Barry Hunter.

Wait a minute. A team of people with different backgrounds give their opinions on potential transfers, but they can’t make the manager sign anyone he doesn’t want? That sounds like ... most teams in the Premier League. Maybe this transfer committee thing is a bit overblown and Rodgers just has some bad ideas?

Belgian defender Gregory Mertens has died from heart failure three days after collapsing during a match. (BBC)

Arsene Wenger thinks Jose Mourinho is disrespectful. (Guardian)

Robbie Keane is going to miss his fourth straight game this weekend. (MLS)

Granada have fired manager Abel Resino after Thursday’s loss. (AS)

Jeremy Menez has been banned four games for abusing a referee. (Football Italia)

Daniel Sturridge is being examined by Red Sox staff to see if he needs surgery. (Mirror)

Ben Lyttleton asks, what if the best Brazil and France teams of the 1980s got to meet? (SI)

Barney Ronay on Sergio Ramos, the best bad guy in football. (Guardian)

Michael Cox on the best Premier League players not in Europe. (ESPN FC)

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously.

If Real Madrid are willing to sell Gareth Bale, Manchester United are willing to pay £100m for him. (Telegraph)

Barcelona could bid for Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera. (Mirror)

Liverpool could pay £22m for Denis Cheryshev. (Express)

Napoli conceded four goals and lost in a must-win. (The Siren’s Song)

La Liga’s fourth place race got tighter with a Valencia draw. (PA)

Leicester City vs. Newcastle (Saturday, 7:45 a.m.) - Somehow, this has become a relegation six-pointer. Newcastle are virtually safe with a win.

Cordoba vs. Barcelona (Saturday, 10 a.m.) - Unlikely to be competitive, but important nonetheless.

Sevilla vs. Real Madrid (Saturday, 2 p.m.) - Potentially the end of Madrid’s title chase or Sevilla’s top four chase.

Timbers vs. Whitecaps (Saturday, 10:30 p.m.) - Vancouver are just as much a contender for Supporters’ Shield as Cascadia Cup.

Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace (Sunday, 8:30 a.m.) - In which Chelsea likely win the title.

Boca Juniors vs. River Plate (Sunday, 5:15 p.m.) - The first of a three-game series. Boca and River are tied at the top of the Argentine Primera and have been drawn against each other in Copa Libertadores.