Manchester United v Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers insists 'nobody could do the job better than me'
Liverpool manager convinced he does not face dismissal and says the idea is to make, not buy, world class players
By Chris Bascombe
10:30PM GMT 12 Dec 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told the club hierarchy it would be a waste of time considering a change in the Anfield dugout because there is nobody better than him.
Rodgers is under no immediate risk of losing his job following Liverpool’s Champions League exit and poor domestic campaign, but he desperately needs an improved performance against Manchester United on Sunday and there have been warnings from high-profile critics that he is on borrowed time.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol was the most notable voice suggesting Rodgers’s position was perilous after the 1-1 draw with Basel.
“The message for me is clear, I don’t think there would be anyone better to do the job here,” Rodgers said. “Seven months ago we nearly won the title unexpectedly, I had time to work with players and took them beyond where the club has been. This has been a difficult start with new players and less coaching time with young players, virtually starting again. I don’t think there is anybody equipped better to deal with that and deal with that having been here for the last 2½ years and experienced what this club is about.
“You will have ex-players that are paid to criticise and some that are not paid to criticise. I certainly don’t doubt myself, I know exactly where we are at and what we need. It certainly doesn’t make me doubt anything. [Criticism] comes with the territory when you don’t win games. Football is very short term. The same people – maybe six or seven months ago – were saying I couldn’t do anything wrong. That is the way football works. You have to accept that as a manager and fight even harder to bring success. I will do, for sure.”
Liverpool head to Old Trafford in contrasting circumstances to last March, when a comfortable 3-0 win maintained their title challenge. Rodgers acknowledged the difference between United’s approach to re-establishing a top-four position – heavy spending on some of the most coveted players in the world – with Liverpool’s high-risk strategy targeting unproven talent they believe will come good later.
“Where I will be different is that I’m not going to cry about it,” Rodgers said. “I’m at a club where the model is based on buying players to create them to be world class. You will see from the majority of players that have come that is what it is about. The club have employed someone who, without being arrogant, believes he can get the best out of a senior player or youth players. He will always maximise talents that he has. Last year I proved that.
“This year the group of players have come in and we have been unfortunate with injuries. I think the club is in a different place to others but that is something that I accept as part of my job here at Liverpool. I will always fight for the club and the people to try and make us the best that we can possibly be.
“You saw a sample with the likes of young Lazar Markovic when he came on the other night – the 15-minute cameo he had was what we have been on to him about since he came in. An aggressive, dynamic player. It demonstrates the difficulties of coming to a club of this size at such a young age with the expectation. They slowly improve and get there. All you can do is continue to maximise the time that you have and I’m sure they will come good.”
Rodgers’s own demeanour has also been brought into question recently. There have been signs of a more defensive manner on and off the pitch in contrast to the effervescent, vibrant coach who walked through the Shankly Gates in 2012.
He would not be the first manager to feel burdened by the weight of the pressure and expectation at Liverpool. “Listen, command is lonely whenever you are at the top end, the leading edge of the game,” he said. “That’s the job from within.
“Of course, there is a little frustration in terms of where we were for a couple of years and where we built it too and now we are sort of starting again but it is my job to ensure we do that. I will take the responsibility for that.
“Last year, when you do so well it’s all down to the players – and rightly so – the recruitment is good, everything in the club is good. When you’re doing not so well it’s down to the manager. That is football so you learn to deal with that. I’ve got to find a way with the squad of players to release our talent and our football again. That’s the one thing that is driving me on every single day and I won’t be happy until I get that again.”
Liverpool expect to have Mario Balotelli back in their squad for the Old Trafford trip, although he will most likely be on the bench. Kolo Touré is also fit again.
Rodgers says Raheem Sterling’s contract negotiations are having no impact on the winger’s form. Sterling has rejected a £70,000-a-week offer from the Merseyside club.
“I think if you look at his performance that will do the talking,” the Liverpool coach said. “He is very happy at the club, he likes being where he has been given an opportunity to develop. There has been no unhappiness and it is between the club and his representatives to sort out a deal. I am sure that will get sorted out in time.”
Liverpool manager convinced he does not face dismissal and says the idea is to make, not buy, world class players
By Chris Bascombe
10:30PM GMT 12 Dec 2014
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told the club hierarchy it would be a waste of time considering a change in the Anfield dugout because there is nobody better than him.
Rodgers is under no immediate risk of losing his job following Liverpool’s Champions League exit and poor domestic campaign, but he desperately needs an improved performance against Manchester United on Sunday and there have been warnings from high-profile critics that he is on borrowed time.
Liverpool legend Steve Nicol was the most notable voice suggesting Rodgers’s position was perilous after the 1-1 draw with Basel.
“The message for me is clear, I don’t think there would be anyone better to do the job here,” Rodgers said. “Seven months ago we nearly won the title unexpectedly, I had time to work with players and took them beyond where the club has been. This has been a difficult start with new players and less coaching time with young players, virtually starting again. I don’t think there is anybody equipped better to deal with that and deal with that having been here for the last 2½ years and experienced what this club is about.
“You will have ex-players that are paid to criticise and some that are not paid to criticise. I certainly don’t doubt myself, I know exactly where we are at and what we need. It certainly doesn’t make me doubt anything. [Criticism] comes with the territory when you don’t win games. Football is very short term. The same people – maybe six or seven months ago – were saying I couldn’t do anything wrong. That is the way football works. You have to accept that as a manager and fight even harder to bring success. I will do, for sure.”
Liverpool head to Old Trafford in contrasting circumstances to last March, when a comfortable 3-0 win maintained their title challenge. Rodgers acknowledged the difference between United’s approach to re-establishing a top-four position – heavy spending on some of the most coveted players in the world – with Liverpool’s high-risk strategy targeting unproven talent they believe will come good later.
“Where I will be different is that I’m not going to cry about it,” Rodgers said. “I’m at a club where the model is based on buying players to create them to be world class. You will see from the majority of players that have come that is what it is about. The club have employed someone who, without being arrogant, believes he can get the best out of a senior player or youth players. He will always maximise talents that he has. Last year I proved that.
“This year the group of players have come in and we have been unfortunate with injuries. I think the club is in a different place to others but that is something that I accept as part of my job here at Liverpool. I will always fight for the club and the people to try and make us the best that we can possibly be.
“You saw a sample with the likes of young Lazar Markovic when he came on the other night – the 15-minute cameo he had was what we have been on to him about since he came in. An aggressive, dynamic player. It demonstrates the difficulties of coming to a club of this size at such a young age with the expectation. They slowly improve and get there. All you can do is continue to maximise the time that you have and I’m sure they will come good.”
Rodgers’s own demeanour has also been brought into question recently. There have been signs of a more defensive manner on and off the pitch in contrast to the effervescent, vibrant coach who walked through the Shankly Gates in 2012.
He would not be the first manager to feel burdened by the weight of the pressure and expectation at Liverpool. “Listen, command is lonely whenever you are at the top end, the leading edge of the game,” he said. “That’s the job from within.
“Of course, there is a little frustration in terms of where we were for a couple of years and where we built it too and now we are sort of starting again but it is my job to ensure we do that. I will take the responsibility for that.
“Last year, when you do so well it’s all down to the players – and rightly so – the recruitment is good, everything in the club is good. When you’re doing not so well it’s down to the manager. That is football so you learn to deal with that. I’ve got to find a way with the squad of players to release our talent and our football again. That’s the one thing that is driving me on every single day and I won’t be happy until I get that again.”
Liverpool expect to have Mario Balotelli back in their squad for the Old Trafford trip, although he will most likely be on the bench. Kolo Touré is also fit again.
Rodgers says Raheem Sterling’s contract negotiations are having no impact on the winger’s form. Sterling has rejected a £70,000-a-week offer from the Merseyside club.
“I think if you look at his performance that will do the talking,” the Liverpool coach said. “He is very happy at the club, he likes being where he has been given an opportunity to develop. There has been no unhappiness and it is between the club and his representatives to sort out a deal. I am sure that will get sorted out in time.”
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