Liverpool might have crashed out of the Europa League after they were beaten by Besiktas on penalties, but manager Brendan Rodgers is still confident that the side can achieve their realistic target of finishing in the top four and winning a trophy.
Before the start of the season, Rodgers had targeted a trophy and Liverpool are still in with a shout to do so as they will face Blackburn in the FA Cup quarter-finals and are favourites to reach the semis. The fact that they have been knocked out of the Europa League might help them in the end as the second tier of European competition is usually a liability as the teams have very less time to recuperate after playing on Thursday.
When Rodgers was asked if being knocked out was a boon, he replied, a We’ll see at the end of the season if that is the case.
“We have got the Champions League position that we want to fight for, a quarter-final of the FA Cup.
“Our objectives are still there to achieve and we will do everything we can to achieve them.
a Psychologically ita s tough but it is what it is. We have given it everything that we have had, now we just have to refocus and we still have a great chance to achieve what we want to achieve this year.
“We have respected it and given it everything, but we have an ability not to dwell on it – that is one of the reasons I think we do well as we move on.
a This phase of the season is very much a psychological aspect as well as physical, so I just try to prepare the players mentally for when you are coming into the business end, They will gain from the experience, and they will be ready for City.a
Emre Can continues to impress Rodgers
Rodgers also spoke about Emre Can’s performance against Besiktas after the German u20 international was deployed in the midfield in Henderson’s absence.
Can has been compared to Yaya Toure by few as he is similar to the Ivorian with his drive from midfield and Rodgers expects him to be a big player for the Reds, a I thought he was outstanding in the middle. He is such a top class football player. His pace, his power, his ability to read the game and his ability to take the ball are all so impressive.
a He likes to play but he also likes to play in that back three as well and drive forward. He gives us that confidence on the ball. He has played three or four positions for me and he is a top class footballer.a
