Rodgers says his Liverpool “pressed” too – claims squad is already “programmed” for it

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Former manager Brendan Rodgers has come out of the woodwork following his sacking and his getting himself heard, seen or read on radio, television or newspapers at the moment.

The Northern Irishman, who’s been out of work since October, told talkSPORT there aren’t actually many stylistic differences between his Liverpool side and what Jurgen Klopp’s currently trying to do – when asked about why the German’s had such bad luck with injuries.

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“In fairness to Jurgen, it is maybe something that has just happened,” he said.

“I’m not there so I don’t see the training schedule or how they are working but all I can say is that when I was at Liverpool for the majority of time I was there we played a similar game. We were a team that pressed the ball and got after teams in that way.

“All these guys can do it. The Jordan Hendersons, the Milners, the Coutinhos, they have been programmed to work that way.

“Sometimes it is down to the number of games. He has probably just been unfortunate there and I’m sure the injuries will clear up.”

In fairness, the reason there are similarities is because Klopp is still working with Rodgers’ team, and he will be until the summer, when he’ll have the opportunity to make proper changes via the transfer market.

Rodgers’ best Liverpool side of 2013/14 certainly did press relentlessly and break quickly, but his teams the seasons before and after were passive – keener on keeping the ball than creating chances with it.

What Klopp has injected into the side is a hunger and a never say die attitude which we didn’t see towards the end of Rodgers’ tenure.

And once his best players return from injuries and he strengthens the spine via the window, we’ll hopefully be a completely different, far more accomplished outfit.

 

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