Monthly Archives: December 2014

Liverpool boss Rodgers one of the top managers in the world – Henderson

The Northern Irishman has been slated over the Reds’ regression this season but the England midfielder has no doubt about his coach’s greatness


Jordan Henderson says Brendan Rodgers remains one of the world’s best managers despite Liverpool’s disappointing season so far.

Inspired by Luis Suarez, the Merseyside giants came within two points of a first Premier League title since 1990 last season, with Rodgers rewarded with the League Managers’ Association Manager of the Year award.

The Reds boss has struggled to re-model his team’s attack this term in the wake of Suarez’s summer move to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge’s persistent injury problems, leaving Liverpool in eighth place after 19 matches.

But Henderson, who enjoyed an excellent campaign during the Reds’ surprise title charge, has no doubt about his manager’s enduring quality.

“For me, he’s one of the top managers in the world,” the England international told reporters. “He has been fantastic ever since he came to the club.

“On the training field, he’s always looking to improve us in every single way possible for us to have the best chance of winning games.

“You can see that during games. If it’s not going right in the first 10 to 15 minutes, he will change something. He’s outstanding at seeing what’s happening in games and changing it whenever he needs to.

“We just have to make sure we keep on putting in the hard work and listening to what he has to say. If we do that, then we’ll keep going in the right direction.”

Seemingly freed by Rodgers’ experimental 3-4-3 formation, Liverpool appear to have re-discovered their scoring touch, netting 10 times in their last four matches, with Monday’s 4-1 rout of Swansea arguably the Reds’ best performance of the season so far.

“We changed to [3-4-3] towards the end of the Basel game,” Henderson added. “[Rodgers] looked at it and went through it with us in the meeting room and on the training field.

“Everyone buys into it because we know he’s so good tactically. He has proved he’s a top-class manager. We all know he wants to get the best out of the team and help everybody.

“It’s up to us as players to ensure we put that into practice on the pitch and we definitely did that against Swansea. If we keep playing like that we’ll get that consistency and more good results.”

Berahino not joining Liverpool, insist West Brom

The 21-year-old has been a revelation in what has been a difficult season for the Baggies and has been linked with the Reds, but the club insist he is going nowhere


West Brom have dismissed talk of striker Saido Berahino joining Premier League rivals Liverpool in the January transfer window.

Berahino has recently been heavily linked with a move away from the club, who sacked head coach Alan Irvine on Monday, with the Reds reportedly at the front of the queue.

But the 16th-placed Baggies appear set to dig their heels in as they look to retain the services of the 21-year-old, who has scored eight goals in all competitions so far this season.

A post on West Brom’s official Twitter account read: “Ok time to clear a few things up. One final time, this Berahino to @LFC story for £23m is and always has been an entire fabrication…”

Ok time to clear a few things up. One final time, this Berahino to @LFC story for £23m is and always has been an entire fabrication…

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBAFCofficial) December 30, 2014

The club also paid further tribute to Irvine, whose stint with West Brom lasted just six months.

A second tweet read: “A sombre day for staff at The Hawthorns because we have said farewell to a man of great class and dignity #bestwishesAlan.”

Liverpool getting back to their best – Rodgers

Adam Lallana’s double inspired Liverpool to a 4-1 win over Swansea City and the Anfield boss has hailed his side’s ‘dominant’ display


Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool are starting to show signs of getting back to their attacking best following Monday’s 4-1 win over Swansea City.

Liverpool have struggled to reach the heights of last season’s title challenge following the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge’s injury problems.

But last season’s runners-up were able to end the year on a high as Adam Lallana’s double, along with Alberto Moreno’s strike and Jonjo Shelvey’s own goal, sealed a 4-1 victory for Brendan Rodgers’ men at Anfield.

“For me it was about getting back to performing well and getting ideas that will help the players play how we want to play,” the Liverpool boss told BBC Sport.

“We were convincing. We have to keep that intensity and work-rate. It was a great performance against a very good side.

“I felt for the big part of the game we dominated. We gave away a poor goal and it goes to 2-1 and they almost score again straight after so that is a frustration.

“But, apart from that spell, the work-rate was outstanding and we were really exciting going forward.”

Liverpool leapfrogged Swansea into eighth following Monday’s win and Rodgers is excited by the prospect of seeing his side flourish in 2015.

He added: “We know the work we need to put in but the players are starting to work together.

“We are a young side looking to settle in and play a type of football we find creative and exciting.”