Premier League: Brendan Rodgers says claims of dressing-room unrest at Liverpool are 'totally untrue'
Wednesday 17 December 2014 18:49, UK
Brendan Rodgers insists there is no dressing-room unrest at Liverpool and says he will strive to get the best out of Mario Balotelli.
Former Reds midfielder Paul Ince believes Italy striker Balotelli's "disruptive influence" has ruined team spirit at Anfield and has called for Rodgers to sell the misfiring striker.
Mario is here as a Liverpool player and as the coach and manager, I need to work to maximise what I can get out of (him).
Balotelli's start to life at Anfield has been poor, scoring just two goals. He came off the bench in the defeat to Manchester United after more than a month out with a groin injury, a problem which may prevent him playing in the Capital One Cup quarter-final at Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Opinions
However, Rodgers has rubbished Ince’s claims of unrest, saying: "There are lots of opinions about Liverpool and Paul is someone who I respect and was a wonderful player and has managed himself, so he knows the pressures of management.
"Mario is here as a Liverpool player and as the coach and manager, I need to work to maximise what I can get out of the player, but that is the same with every single player.
"While he is here at the club, that is all I will concentrate on. I hear one or two bits and pieces about unrest - it is totally untrue of course. We are not happy we are not winning games. These are competitive players who nearly won the league last year, so they won't be happy with losing.
Live Capital One Cup Football
“The actual spirit in the group is very strong and that is one of the reasons why when we get that confidence back, we will go into the second half of the season and be much better.
"Our dressing room is very strong. We are very fortunate we have a captain (Steven Gerrard) who is a strong leader and that has been something which has been very important in my time here."
Liverpool have endured a torrid season so far. They have been knocked out of the Champions League and lie 11th in the Premier League, 18 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Wednesday’s cup-tie against Bournemouth at Dean Court now takes on greater significance, with Rodgers adamant his team can win the competition.
Opportunity
"We wanted to have a right go at all of the cup competitions this year and the game on Wednesday will be an opportunity for us to get into the semi-final," he added.
"It would obviously give us confidence to get through. We're in competitions to win trophies, so if we can get the victory against Bournemouth and get through, the aim for us would be to hopefully go on and win the competition.
"This is the first cup competition that you can win, so it was always a priority for me.”
