Rodgers Responds to the ‘Mind Games’

As Liverpool head into the ‘final seven’ on Sunday, with the visit of Tottenham to Anfield, Spurs manager Tim Sherwood was bringing out the mind-games in an attempt to unsettle Brendan Rodgers Liverpool. Sherwood spoke of how Liverpool showed they were under pressure against Sunderland and that this would only continue the longer they stayed in the title race, questioning whether Rodgers’ side have it in them to drag themselves over the line.

Sherwood’s words, whilst not particularly antagonistic, were clearly intended to pile the pressure on Liverpool’s players – and, more so, manager – ahead of the first of three big clashes in the last seven games for Liverpool.

However, the Reds boss hit back at Sherwood, saying “We’re very relaxed,” said Rodgers, who has overseen a huge improvement on last season, when his side finished seventh. “We’re focused.

“There was no expectation on us being where we are, so there’s certainly no pressure.”

Echoing his and his captains sentiments following the Sunderland game, Rodgers cut the relaxed figure, knowing that, while still in the title race, the pressure was not the same for his Liverpool side as it is on the likes of City, Chelsea and Arsenal, given the sheer force of financial power those clubs have. Indeed, he went on to point out the vast sum Tottenham themselves forked out last summer, stating “I suppose the likes of Tottenham are a team who were maybe looking to be challenging for the league this season. You spend £100m-odd – it’s a group that’s set up to challenge.

“There’s certainly no pressure on ourselves, and I think we’ve shown that over the course of the season. We’re playing with no fear.”

We can only hope that Brendan’s calming words have had the right effect on his players and that we see a much more organized, coherent and calm performance when Sherwood brings his ‘moneybags’ Spurs side to Anfield on Sunday.