Liverpool face Blackburn in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Sunday and manager Brendan Rodgers warned his side to not get complacent in order to achieve their objectives.
Speaking ahead of the game in his press conference, he said, “They got their first league win away from home in four months in the week (at Sheffield Wednesday) but we will give them the same respect we would give Manchester City or any other team.”
“It is a big game. We made it clear our intent in this competition was to get to the final and win it and to do that you have to beat different types of teams and Blackburn will come and look to make it difficult for us.”
“I think Gary Bowyer has done an outstanding job since he has gone in there. He’s had a similar pathway to myself in terms of working in youth development so he understands football clubs from the top to the bottom.”
“He has gone in there in very difficult circumstances and stabilised the club and got everyone on the same path and has done an outstanding job.”
The Liverpool manager emphasised on the importance of Wembley as he said, “People say getting to Wembley for the semi-final is a big thing but not really. Winning and getting to the final is the big priority.”
“In many ways I wish the semi-final wasn’t at Wembley because I think it takes a little bit away from it. For me Wembley should be the ultimate game.”
“But of course it is a great opportunity if we do go through to play a game at Wembley, which we certainly wouldn’t turn down.”
“In domestic cup competitions we were unfortunate not to make the final and in the FA Cup we are giving everything we can to win a trophy while trying to fight to get into the top four.”
“We want to get as high as we can – not just fourth – and win a trophy and if we can do that it will be a success.”
Rodgers was also pleased about improvement in Liverpool’s defence of late. He said, a What is pleasing are the poor goals we have stopped conceding. Our method of play is based on aggressive pressure and with that you limit teams to not many opportunities.
a When that doesna t function well you concede poor goals. That was the key, we made too many mistakes. In the last three months there is a better balance to the team, players are comfortable and with and without the ball collectively we are much stronger.a