Rodgers Not On Any Pressure

Brendan Rodgers insists there is no extra
pressure on Liverpool despite their status as
clear Premier League title favourites.
Rodgers: Liverpool will keep pushing on towards
the title

Brendan Rodgers insists there is no extra
pressure on Premier League title favourites
Liverpool and that shock results for Manchester
City and Everton are a warning sign.
Last weekend's 3-2 win over Manchester City
made it 10 league victories in a row for the Reds
and left them two points clear of Chelsea at the
top of the table.
It also left City playing catch-up, and a win over
Norwich on Sunday would move Liverpool nine
points clear of Manuel Pellegrini's side having
played two games more.
City suffered a further setback on Wednesday
when they were held to a draw at home by
bottom side Sunderland, while Everton's
Champions League hopes were dealt a blow with
defeat against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool's match against Chelsea at Anfield in 10
days' time could well prove to be the title decider,
but it is Rodgers' side that has the momentum.
The manager, though, was keen to project the
message that nothing inside the club has
changed.

 
Rodgers said: "We'll deal with it the same as we
have from the very first game of the season.
There's no added pressure than what we had
then.
"We look to win the game at the weekend. We're
still in check with reality in terms of where we're
at.
"We've made great progress this season and our
objective to qualify for the Champions League
was always going to be a very difficult one
because of the competitive nature of the league.
"But we're still on course for that, and if we can
get a win at the weekend then that would rubber
stamp that for us.
"Nothing falls into place, you have to make it
happen.
"Two things came out of last night for me. One is
it shows the level of our performance against
Sunderland. We were very good in the game up
until the last 15 minutes when Sunderland had a
little bit of pressure. We were able to manage the
game and get three points.
"And I think last night was also a warning sign
for everyone. At this point of the season, with four
games to go, nothing's guaranteed, and I've said
that all the way along.
"Yes one of our rivals might have dropped points,
but it's irrelevant, you have to do your own job."
Philippe Coutinho netted the winner against City
after the visitors had fought back from 2-0 down
to level early in the second half.

 
Rodgers felt his side were on top for the vast
majority of the game and could not resist a dig at
City after a survey this week showed they are the
best-paid team in world sport.
The Northern Irishman said: "It was 20 minutes
at the beginning of the second half where we had
to stand up and be counted. If you've got the
biggest wage bill in sport then you've got to
perform at some stage in the game.
"We showed what great teams do - they bounce
back and we showed that resilience and
ultimately the quality that sees you through.
"There have been a lot of questions asked of the
team and so far we've come up with the
solutions."
Liverpool will definitely be without midfielder
Jordan Henderson, who begins a three-match
suspension, and it seems likely Daniel Sturridge
will join his England team-mate on the sidelines.
The striker had to come off against City with a
hamstring problem, and Rodgers said: "He may
struggle for the weekend.
"It's not too serious, it's not going to keep him
out for too many weeks, but he may be a risk for
the weekend. We'll assess it more over the next
couple of days."
Sturridge expressed his frustration with the
setback on Twitter, saying: "Pushing myself to
get back ASAP! Fuming I'm injured but it's life.
Everything for a reason. God has his plan."

K.C.UMEOKAFOR