Friday 24 April 2015 07:55, UK
Brendan Rodgers has batted away speculation over his Anfield future by declaring he is the best man to manage Liverpool.
Pressure has built on Rodgers after last Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Aston Villa which gives him the unenviable distinction of becoming the first Liverpool boss in more than 50 years not to win a trophy in his first three seasons in charge.
The availability of Jurgen Klopp, who leaves Borussia Dortmund in the summer, has added to the speculation about Rodgers’ future, but the 42-year-old is adamant there is no-one who could replace him.
Asked if he was confident that he would still be Liverpool manager next season, Rodgers said: “Very much so. I don’t think there is anyone better. That’s the reality of how I see it.
“Three months ago I was a tactical genius, performing to a good level. We lost some important games and now I’m not so good. That’s football, people will speculate.
“When you’re at a club like Liverpool you will have many names mentioned - that’s the mark of being at such a huge club, a worldwide club.
“It’s not a problem. It’s something that happens. If you lose a couple of games, others will be linked with the job.
“That will happen whether I’m doing good, bad or indifferent because this is such a big club.”
Rodgers is reportedly set to meet Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, next week but the Northern Irishman is relaxed about the situation at the club.
Three months ago I was a tactical genius, performing to a good level. We lost some important games and now I’m not so good. That’s football, people will speculate.
“I have a strong relationship with the owners,” he said. “They understand this was going to be a process.”
After finishing runners-up to Manchester City last season, Liverpool must beat West Brom this weekend to retain any realistic hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Rodgers insists Liverpool will fight for a top-four place “right till the very end” but says last season’s team, spearheaded by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, over-achieved.
Where we sit now, fifth place and having reached two semi-finals is probably on a par with where we’re at. Of course our ambition is greater than that. We have to be planning forward. That means bringing in players in the summer. That’s something that’s well underway.
“This isn’t a group of ready-made players used to winning. I’ve not taken over a machine that for 10 years was winning trophies,” he said.
“That’s something we are clear on. But of course we want to be better next season and improve on the performance level.
“If you take the emotion out of last weekend, this was a team who over achieved last season. We were not expected to get in the top four.
“The same team had a world-class striker in it and someone on fire in Daniel Sturridge when fit.
“That team deemed not good enough for the top four went on a great run and nearly won the title.
“We lost those two players with Luis leaving and Daniel getting injured and brought in others to improve the squad.
“Where we sit now, fifth place and having reached two semi-finals is probably on a par with where we’re at.
“Of course our ambition is greater than that. We have to be planning forward. That means bringing in players in the summer. That’s something that’s well underway. The summer will be a great opportunity to kick on and keep improving.”
