Liverpool FC take on Bordeaux in their Europa League opener and manager Brendan Rodgers has warned his side they cannot lose the way they have over the last two league games.
Liverpool FC lost 3-0 to West Ham and 3-1 to Manchester United over the last two games. The lack of intensity in Liverpool’s game was particularly worrying, given it is something that has been the trademark of every Brendan Rodgers side over the years.
Rodgers delivers warning
Having had enough of his players not playing with the intensity and the passion with which he wants them to play, Rodgers has delivered a warning ahead of the Bordeaux clash.
“You can lose games but it is how you lose them, and the last couple of games are not how you want to lose,” Rodgers was quoted as saying by the Guardian. “I think it is good I have an identity as a coach and a way of working that is clear and I can see where any one making that comment would come from.
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“I am confident we can get back to playing that way and it is something I along with the staff are working very hard to reinforce, the principles of how we have worked here.”
‘No pressure’
The Reds had made a good start to the season, but results in the last two games meant Rodgers has come under increased criticism. When asked about the pressure at Anfield, he said:
“Same as it has ever been and probably what I’ve had for the last year or so. I don’t think it has increased at all. It is the pressure which comes with managing a great club.
“It says everything that you lose a couple of games and that pressure comes, but I’ve always embraced and enjoyed that. Nothing has changed in that way. I just need to concentrate on getting the team right. Pressure is something which is part and parcel of being manager of this club.”
Liverpool FC want to win against Bordeaux – Rodgers
Six of the players that started at the weekend have not travelled with the Liverpool FC squad to France. However, Rodgers denies he is taking a gamble and will set out a team that wants to win the game.
“My approach is what I did in this competition when I first came in: we played players who were needing games and it gives me a chance to look at some younger players and back then we finished top of the group.
“We will pick a team to win the game. At this stage for me it is really about trying to get a performance level as consequently that will lead to us getting consistent results. Some players who I left behind will play [against Norwich on Sunday] but there will be players who play [on Thursday] who will play at the weekend and that opportunity is there.”