Speaking to reporters, Brendan Rodgers has insisted that while he is not happy with Liverpool’s recent performance against Manchester United, he is prepared for the accompanying pressure.
Liverpool started the season well, beating Stoke City and Bournemouth before drawing 0-0 with Arsenal. However, in the last two fixtures they have come unstuck; they were abysmal in defeat at home against West Ham United, before losing 3-1 against their fiercest rivals Manchester United.
In light of this latest defeat, Rodgers has admitted that the nature of the Merseysiders’ losses against both the Hammers and the Red Devils was unsatisfactory, and has urged his side to improve their performance.
“You can lose games, but it’s how you lose them. The last couple of defeats is not how you want to lose a game of football,” the Northern Irish coach began, as reported by Goal.
“We have seen in last few performances, when we don’t play well it gives us far less chance of winning.
“We need to get back to a way of playing. We have an inherent belief that if we get back to that level we will get results.”
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Rodgers went on to confirm that while he was disappointed with Liverpool’s recent drop off, he is not feeling any increased pressure.
“It’s [the pressure] the same as it ever was,” he continued.
“I don’t think it has increased. It’s pressure that comes from managing a huge club.
“Nothing has changed in that way. I just need to concentrate on getting the team right. We are only a few points off where we want to be in the league.
“The pressure is always here, it’s part and parcel of being the manager at such a huge club.
“There is a long way to go. Players are still settling in. There’s been a big transformation. I need to integrate that back in and get us back to an exciting way of working.
“My vision of the game and the model of how I work is pretty clear really.
“We need to get back to playing that way. We are working hard to reinforce the principles of how we have worked successfully here.”
Liverpool begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday evening with a match against Girondins de Bordeaux. However, while Reds fans will likely be hoping for a win in their continental clash, their most important fixture of the coming days is surely the Premier League clash with Norwich City.
Liverpool fans will be expecting the Reds to pick up the maximum points against the Canaries, but the defeat to West Ham gave fans a stark reminder of the Merseysiders’ fragility at home.