IN an interview given this week, Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has spoke about the progress of the club’s newest signings – exciting, attacking pair, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho – and also gives an update on his Reds project so far, and the challenges of rebuilding a team steeped in the traditions of our great forefathers.
How pleased have you been by the way that Liverpool fans have taken to your project and the style of football that you play?
I’ve been very pleased because at the end of the day the supporters are the people that count. You always want to win games and to develop the team, so it’s very important that you have encouragement from your fans. Our supporters have shown exactly why they are so well renowned – I’ve really felt and appreciated their support.
How do you approach the challenge of building a team worthy of great managers like Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley?
Philippe Coutinho has also excited the fans, but there are often doubts about whether a player slight of stature can hold his own in the Barclay’s Premier League. Do you think that notion is a thing of the past?
Very much so, although there is no doubt that the Barclay’s Premier League is probably the most physical league in the world and that can catch players out. He might be slight in stature but he’s still got real power and mental strength too, plus he’s a wonderful technician.
I don’t think that there is any question that he can cope with the physical demands. He’s a Brazilian boy so as well as all the technique, skill and flair; you also find that they are tough. There haven’t been too many Brazilians that have come into this country and have not succeeded. They tend to be robust and when you mix that with their technical and tactical qualities, I think that a player like Philippe will be a great addition for us.
Does the capture of Sturridge and Coutinho vindicate the decision not to sign a forward in August when Andy Carroll went to West Ham?
We would have liked to bring in a few more players in the summer but we didn’t, and the group were admirable with what they coped in that period because we had a lot of games. We knew we had to bring in reinforcements in January and the board worked superbly to get those players.
We are hopeful that come the summer we can make more additions that will take us on to the next level. So there was no vindication really, just that Andy wanted to play games every week and at the time there wasn’t the availability to bring in a replacement. The business we did in January however was excellent and that’s a great credit to the club.
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BR well said , however we are not going to have sympathy for you come 2013 /2014 season , we want at leasts 2 cups and top 4 , no excuses and sweet talking us, we have to hit the ground running , if not , you must quit if we loose 2 of our first 4 games.
It will be interesting to see what players BR targets in the summer to take us to the next level. One thing’s for sure we will have to buy big to have any chance of breaking into the top 4 again.