Football - Rodgers relishes Chelsea clash Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has no complaints as his side head to Chelsea for the second part of a double-header he claims could not be harder. Eurosport – 2 hours 46 minutes ago Email ShareTweet Print Get up to £50 in Matched Bets from Ladbrokes The Reds, who topped the Barclays Premier League at Christmas, travel to Stamford Bridge to face another title challenger just three days after a battling loss at Manchester City. Liverpool impressed at the Etihad Stadium but were edged out 2-1 in a thrilling game of chances and controversy and the challenge is now to maintain that intensity against Jose Mourinhos men. Rodgers said: For us it couldnt be any tougher. Were playing against the two teams who arguably have the two best squads in the league. They can change all 11 players and still have a team that challenges at the top of the table. Well go into the game and do our best, thats what we have done. Of course this period is always difficult, no matter what way you look at it. Its not ideal but its what happens and its what makes it exciting to be in the country at this time. We embrace it and well look to get a result. Rodgers knows Mourinho well having worked under him as a youth-team coach during the Portugueses first spell with the London club. Mourinho returned in the summer amid high expectation but his team have been criticised of late for playing without spark and lacking a cutting edge. Yet they remain firmly in title contention and Rodgers feels that could be an ominous sign for rivals. He said: They have a lot of quality. Over the last 10 years they have been one of the most successful clubs in the country and in Europe. How they have been building up that squad and changing it has been remarkable. They have got a host of talented players and a world-class manager. We understand how difficult it will be. They are getting the results and that is all that will concern Jose and the supporters. Every team will always look to improve their performance level. Certainly with him coming into a new group of players, it will take him time to understand the method of how they work. But they are up there in that top four, where they would expect to be. Liverpool are short on numbers with forward Victor Moses ineligible to play against his parent club and the likes of Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge, Jose Enrique and Jon Flanagan sidelined. But Rodgers is happy with the standards being set and found many positives in the Boxing Day reverse to City. The result may have left them fourth after the game but the platform is still there for a possible title challenge. Rodgers said: The last game gives us confidence and belief, but we arrive into this game knowing its going to be equally difficult. Over my time here, whatever squad we are working with, we have always been able to galvanise the group. The team has been able to go again and thats something that well look to do for the weekend. Weve been improving as the season has gone on. If you look at the last number of weeks, the performance level and the standard has been at a real high level. I think were a team that shows great confidence and belief in how were training and how were working. Were taking that confidence into any stadium, home or away, and thats always difficult for an opponent. I think youve seen the aggression, the charisma, the confidence and the consistency over these last 12 months. I think (our position) will fluctuate between now and the end of the season - one day youre first, then youre fourth. But as long as were in the conversation with 10 games to go, then it will be all to play for. Thats the idea, to arrive at that point in a position where we are going to be able to challenge. #CareFree & KTBFFH!
Posted on: Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:27:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015