Rodgers: Fight for Liverpool or leave

[localny]

Rodgers: Fight for Liverpool or leave

July 5, 2012
By ESPN staff
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed the "fantastic" attitude of Luis Suarez, but warned the rest of his squad that they can leave if they do not want to fight for Champions League football next season.

Rodgers recently revealed a chat he had held with Suarez, who has been linked with a move away from Anfield in search of top-tier European football. The Liverpool boss claimed his Uruguayan forward had agreed to stay, much to the relief of Reds fans.

Having held his first official team meeting on Wednesday, Rodgers must now set about stamping his personality on the Liverpool squad. Known as a manager who encourages passing football, Rodgers will no doubt relish working with a player of Suarez's talent, and he reiterated the exemplary attitude of the South American forward.

"The focus was on the future, and what I believe he can bring to the team in the way that we play," Rodgers told Sky Sports News, regarding his recent chat with Suarez. "He was fantastic, he was very open, and I think he was impressed by how we played last year."

Previously linked to big-spending Paris St Germain, the fear remains that Suarez could be tempted should a big-money offer arrive at Anfield. Rodgers is not losing sleep over the issue though, insisting the entire Liverpool squad can either believe in his vision or seek football elsewhere.

"You can only sell the dream going forward," Rodgers said. "There's a lot of nostalgia surrounding this club, but it's important that we recognise this is 2012 and we're not in the Champions League.
"The top players want to play at that level. Steven Gerrard wants to play at that level, Jamie Carragher, they're players who have won it.

"In the coming years we'll strive towards that. If that's not enough for a player, then they will go, simple as that."

 

[dmishra]

He talks the talk all right.

 

[localny]

Feels good to have someone setting higher expectations. This was the issue I had with Roy and Martinez. It felt all very "we'll do our best and see how it goes" kind of goal setting which doesn't really get you there. For a team like ours, that can play and win big games, but doesn't perform against lower clubs, mentality is everything.

 

[Modo]

Luis to Rodgers: Get me better team-mates!!!!

 

[Rosco]

I read it differently localny. He's not goal setting, he's telling players who think they deserve CL football that it has to be fought for and earned first.

If they aren't willing to fight for it, then they'll be sold.

Basically Skrtel's agent needs to shut his trap.

 

[localny]

I like your take, Ross.

 

[Modo]

Rodgers takes swipe at Sigurdsson after wage demands scuppered Liverpool deal
By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER
PUBLISHED: 16:40 GMT, 5 July 2012 | UPDATED: 16:40 GMT, 5 July 2012

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson's increased wage demands scuppered his move to Anfield.
A deal had been struck with the Iceland international for him to return to Swansea - where he had spent the latter half of last season on loan - but when Rodgers moved to Anfield that move hit the rocks.


The Reds then appeared to be in pole position because of the player's relationship with the manager but when discussions began over finances Rodgers discovered the 22-year-old was asking for more money than he had agreed at Swansea.
Rodgers did not feel that was justified and, as a result, Sigurdsson signed for Tottenham - because of the club's ambition and quality squad according to the player.

'He wasn't playing at Hoffenheim, I brought him to Swansea and he did very well for me there, scoring seven goals in 19 games and was very good,' said the Reds boss, who succeeded Kenny Dalglish just over a month ago.

'He and I both sat and spoke and believed that playing football was going to be the most important aspect for him.


'But obviously it was important financially so we agreed a deal for him to go to Swansea and that was wrapped up.

'I then became the Liverpool manager and that then wasn't something that was going to happen at Swansea so he then had a choice of where he wanted to go.

'I knew what the market was and I wasn't prepared to pay anything over what I had known was agreed before.

'Liverpool would have provided Gylfi with a wonderful opportunity to perform with a manager that he knows and at a club which is a real footballing institution.

'But he's decided to go to Tottenham, for whatever reason.


'I wish him the best, he's a good kid and there's no ill feeling. We've got other targets and we'll move on.'

Rodgers is now looking at other targets to bring in this summer but wants players who will fit in with his way of working and the club itself and dovetail with the current squad.

'I've got a bunch of wonderful players here,' he told liverpoolfc.com.

'I'm going to take time to have a look at that. I believe there's one or two areas that I'll need to improve on for sure but overall the core of the group is strong.

'But like any manager, you want to add the other pieces that can complete your jigsaw and that's something that we're doing over a period of time.


'This window for the summer, you either had to get your business in early or it was going to run over towards the end of the window, just purely because of all the games and holidays and championships and everything that was going on.

'We're doing a lot of work off the field in terms of potential players to come in, but it will only be a certain type of player that will fit the model here at Liverpool.'

Many of his squad have yet to return to pre-season training because of their involvement in summer internationals but those who were back at Melwood this week have already had an introduction to what Rodgers wants to achieve and how he wants to do so.


'The last couple of days were really about painting the vision so that people understand what direction we're moving in,' said the 39-year-old.

'We had a really good meeting with the staff on Tuesday. I just felt it was important from the very first day with the staff they understand how I work, my values and morals on and off the field.

'Then obviously for the players it's about what I can do to help them achieve what it is they want to achieve, and let them understand the principles of how I'm going to work and look at the direction which the club is moving in.

'They understand where I'm coming from, from day one, which is important.

'There's no mystery behind it, they understand the vision and the culture that we're trying to create here.

'We can now move forward in confidence and look to work hard and work well.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...s-scuppered-Liverpool-move.html#ixzz1zm0RvAsE

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I read it differently localny. He's not goal setting, he's telling players who think they deserve CL football that it has to be fought for and earned first.

If they aren't willing to fight for it, then they'll be sold.

Basically Skrtel's agent needs to shut his trap.

Didn't think of it like this, but it seems like it could just be that.

 

[localny]

interesting about Gylfi I would expect to pay more than Swansea would, and I don't think it's realistic to expect the same, when yuo are Liverpool, but if it's an astronomical increase, then it's another ballgame.

 

[Rosco]

Didn't think of it like this, but it seems like it could just be that.

I hope I'm right.

I always take it as a kind of a warning sign to me when players start talking about deserving trophies and CL football etc. Players don't deserve success, so the minute they think they do I think they've lost the will to fight and are looking for an easy route to whatever it is they think they deserve.

United didn't win titles because they players felt entitled to win it. They won because they gave everything for every minute of every game. How often can you say we've done that in the last five years ?

 

[themn]

COME ON FUDGIE !

 

[MaBigTip]

Feels good to have someone setting higher expectations. This was the issue I had with Roy and Martinez. It felt all very "we'll do our best and see how it goes" kind of goal setting which doesn't really get you there. For a team like ours, that can play and win big games, but doesn't perform against lower clubs, mentality is everything.

I'm forgetful, when did our manager Martinez manage our expectations like that?

 

[localny]

Sorry if you can't get it, I can't explain it

 

[themn]

LOL.

 

[RolandG]

Rodgers is growing on me. He certainly shoots from the hip. I like straight talkers.

Now for some top signings. Go BRRRRRR!