He says he is better at his job now than when he took over in June 2012.
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Although Sherwood is plotting Rodgers’ downfall this weekend, the former Tottenham boss believes Liverpool’s hierarchy would do well to keep the faith with their current manager. “Positive fear”.
“But it doesn’t frighten me”.
“We just need make sure that we concentrate on what’s happening in that dressing room with the backroom staff, the manager and the players, we stick together and hopefully this can kick-start this next run of games for us”.
Speculation on Mersyside has intensified since the poor performance against Carlisle and sources in Liverpool claim that even a win against Everton in the looming derby can not save him now.
Earlier this week Liverpool were forced to deny that they had made an approach for former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
But Jurgen Klopp, recently of Borussia Dortmund, is another potential replacement eyeing the Anfield job and it is increasingly apparent that Rodgers is on borrowed time unless results improve dramatically. “You do that by winning games and performing”, he said.
“I have regular contact with the owners and that relationship has always been strong”, he said. Whether I am here for one day more or one month or one year more I will always have respect for the people here, the owners and [the chief executive] Ian Ayre.
“If you don’t get result the pressure is here but I enjoy challenges”.
Liverpool has been on a rapid decline since their 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Anfield.
Daniel Sturridge is in line to start for the first time this season, though Rodgers warned that the injury-prone England striker can’t be rushed.
“My belief and confidence is there, and always has been”.
“We’ll stay calm and we know we’ll progress and get better and we’ve still got top players to come back into our group”.
A year ago Rodgers told Spanish sports daily Marca that he hoped to be manager of Liverpool for 20 years. But to work with the players I’ve worked with here has been fantastic.
“Since I’ve been here I think there have been about 10 managers linked with the job”.
“He showed a great combination with young Danny Ings who obviously didn’t get a goal today but I thought he played his part up top with Daniel”, added Rodgers. “They’re an incredible bunch and working harder than ever”.
There will be no reunion with the injured Christian Benteke, who left Villa this summer in a £32.5million deal, but Sherwood is still bitterly disappointed with his sale.
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Far from being defeatist after another challenging week, Rodgers offered a pragmatic but assured assessment of his plight on Merseyside.
