Rodgers Positive Liverpool Can Beat Basel And Qualify

Ahead of Liverpool’s crucial Champions League encounter with FC Basel on Tuesday, Brendan Rodgers faced the media in the pre-match press conference to preview the clash.

Liverpool face FC Basel in the final game of the Champions League group stages and the Merseysiders will be embroiled in the decider as they look to progress to the knockout stage of the prestigious competition.

Brendan Rodgers was positive speaking to the press before the crucial game.

“We have had must-win games in the time I’ve been here and won them. We’ve got big talent in the squad and a hunger to do well,” said the Liverpool boss.

“We have goals in the squad. I believe we have enough talent in the group to get the goals we need to win.”

In the same clash that happened in Switzerland in September, Rodgers’ 11 was overwhelmed and looked extremely weak. However, Rodgers remained confident and insisted that his Liverpool side has become better since that game in September.

“Players here are totally committed. In Basel our defending was a bit soft and we lacked a bit of confidence. That was one of the games in the period that was a learning curve for us,” he said

“We go into tomorrow in a much better mindset than back in September and even from just a couple of weeks ago.Ai??Basel may come and put men behind the ball as we know they only need a draw but again if we keep patient we can get the result we need. We go into the game in good condition physically and mentally. Basel will come here having lost their away games in the group and knowing it’ll be tough. We respect them but our objective is solely to win the game.

“We know we don’t need to win the game in the first minutes. It’s technical and tactical. We have to retain our patience, keep concentration and focus, and aligned with the supporters’ passion, we have a great chance.Ai??We’re focusing on tomorrow as an opportunity rather than a threat. If we get through, we can put it to bed and it can give us confidence for the league campaign.

“We’ve had a difficult spell but I can see signs that we’re coming through that now, We certainly havenai??i??t the consistency this season but slowly I can see the differences in the team; in concentration, focus, and quality.”

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been under a lot of spotlight and 10 years ago, in a penultimate fixture against Olympiakos, the Reds midfielder scored a scremer of a goal. Rodgers spoke on the matter:

“There’s a great history here and Olympiakos is part of that but it’s up to the players here now to write themselves into folklore.

“It’s not just all about Steven Gerrard, it’s about the collective and for us to get the result tomorrow night we need the whole team to be functioning well.”

Rodgers: “We would have taken this scenario when the draw was made. We knew the last two games would be key and that is the case. It’s going to be a great night and it’s up to us do what we need to do.”