Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media today ahead of our first match of the new Premier League season. The Reds face Stoke City on Sunday, in a rematch of the final game of last season.
The Northern Irishman spoke at length about Christian Benteke, James Milner and pre-season, but it was his comments on the game at the Britannia Stadium which were perhaps the most interesting.
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In quotes taken by Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce, Rodgers discussed the need for the Reds to bounce back from that 6-1 defeat at the end of our 2014-15 campaign, and stated that he couldn’t have wished for a better chance to do than against the same opposition.
Rodgers: “We will certainly be better than we were at Stoke last season. We lacked in everything that day.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
Rodgers: “It was a unique game. We all knew it was unacceptable and whatever stick we got for it (Stoke away) was deserved.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
Rodgers: “For me it’s the perfect fixture for us first up. I was happy that came out.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
Liverpool come into the game off the back of a very positive pre-season campaign, in which we won five and drew one of our six fixtures. Both Rodgers’ playing and coaching staff have undergone a complete overhaul during the summer break, with seven new signings and three new members of staff joining the first-team squad.
Rodgers is confident that the changes will work in our favour and will allow us to respond well after a difficult season. However, he refuted suggestions that he is under any additional pressure to succeed after flattering to deceive last season.
Rodgers: “We’ve had a very good pre-season and I’ve been delighted with the response from the players.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
Rodgers: “There is no difference now in terms of pressure. This has always been a club under huge scrutiny.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
The boss fielded questions on new striker Christian Benteke, who will likely start at the head of the Liverpool attack against Stoke on Sunday. The former Aston Villa man got off to the perfect start last weekend, scoring on debut in the friendly against Swindon, and Rodgers has been full of praise for his new man.
Rodgers: “Benteke is the type who fits perfectly for us. He has massive potential. He can play the power game & his movement is very clever” — James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
The arrival of Benteke, who has been joined by fellow new signings Danny Ings and Divock Origi in the Liverpool squad, has left both Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini well down the pecking order. However, Rodgers was tight-lipped on any potential transfer moves.
Rodgers: “Nothing on outgoings at this stage. Every player knows exactly where they stand. It’s unfair to talk about any individuals.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
Asked whether our new players and the renewed sense of optimism around the club could help inspire a title challenge, Rodgers was typically reserved, stating that the primary objective is to get back into the Champions League – having missed out on a top four spot last season.
Rodgers: “Our first objective is to arrive in the top four. We’ll look to put up a greater fight than last season.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
There were also two major bits of team news ahead of this weekend’s game. The squad won’t include Joe Allen…
Rodgers says Joe Allen will be out for 3 to 4 weeks with a hamstring strain. #LFC — James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015
But it will include our new vice-captain, who is James Milner…
Rodgers: “James is someone I’d admired for a long time. He gives everything. He’s always in here two & a half hours before we train.”
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) August 7, 2015