‘Am the best man for Liverpool’ – insists Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager has insisted he is “the best man for the job” at Anfield.

Rodgers dismissed claims that Jurgen Klopp could be lined up to replace him as Liverpool manager in the summer by stating bluntly he has a great relationship with the owners, who know the strides he has made.

Rodgers was on the front foot as he answered the inevitable questions over his future following the disappointing semi-final defeat by Aston Villa.

When asked if he was confident he would be there to take the club forward next season, he said: “Very much so, I don’t think there’s anyone better, that’s the reality of it.

“Three months ago I was a tactical genius and performing to a good level. We lost a couple of games, some important ones, and now you’re not so good. But that’s football, people speculate.

“That’s why I don’t get carried away when we win and not too disappointed when we lose. I have a strong relationship with the owners.

“They understood this was going to be a process, not a group of ready made players used to winning. I didn’t take over a 10-year machine which was used to winning.”

Rodgers was also bullish on the inevitable link with Klopp. The Dortmund manager will leave the club he steered to the German title and the Champions League final at the end of the season, and he has been tipped as top favourite to be the next Liverpool manager.

Rodgers though, insisted he is not worried by the speculation. He said: “At a club like Liverpool you will have many names, in my time alone a lot have been mentioned.

“It’s part of being at a huge club which is respected worldwide. We’ve had former managers linked in the past and will continue throughout my time because it’s such a great job and great club.

“There was obviously a lot of money spent last summer with players coming in. Take the emotion out of last weekend and we probably over achieved last year and that same team had a world-class striker in it and someone on fire in Daniel Sturridge.

“That team wasn’t deemed good enough for the top four and yet nearly won the title.

“We lost those players, brought in others to strengthen and improve the squad. We’re in the top five and reached two semis and in some ways have over achieved from last year.

“Obviously the ambition is to be greater than that and that of course means bringing in players in the summer. Last year was an opportunity and next will be an even greater one to kick on.”

Rodgers revealed that he doesn’t know when Daniel Sturridge will return from a hip injury, which makes him a major doubt to face West Brom at the weekend, but Adam Lallana and Jordan Ibe will be back.

Anthony. I Nlebem