LIVERPOOL BOSS Brendan Rodgers believes it is too soon for his team to be considered Premier League title contenders.
The Anfield side have exceeded many pundits’ expectations this season, and they led the table heading into the Christmas period.
Liverpool have since fallen away, with eight points now separating Rodgers’ fourth-placed side from pacesetters Arsenal.
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Draws against West Brom and Aston Villa in their last three league games have dented the club’s hopes of bridging that gap but regardless, Rodgers insists that Liverpool are not serious championship-winning candidates this term.
“I think for us, as a team, it’s too early for that,” he told Sky Sports. “I was at the Manchester City-Chelsea game the other night and I look at the squads they have – which they have built up over the last few years – and it’s very difficult for us, even though we have competed right the way through the season.
“So, I wouldn’t say for us this year, no. We wouldn’t be challengers for it (the title).”
Liverpool do still have home games to come against all the sides above them – starting with Arsenal this weekend, before Manchester City and Chelsea both visit Anfield in April.
And Rodgers believes that means they will play a decisive role in where the Premier League trophy ends up.
“Will we play a part in it? Yes, we will, because we are professional and we want to fight to finish as high as we possibly can,” he added.
“We look it and there are six points between us and (third-placed) Chelsea, so there is still a lot to play for and we will be fighting right until the very end.
“But, if I’m asked to give an honest answer, I’d probably say that this year is too soon for us.”
Liverpool have come on a lot this year but are still very suspect at the back…….a three horse race to the title, I think city will sneak it ahead of the gunners
Honestly wouldn’t believe a word out of his or any other managers mouth . They all change the tune they’re humming each week to coincide with which ever team they’re playing next .
Keep your mouth shut Rodgers and train the team. Of course Liverpool could be in it. Throwing away points at West Brom and against Aston Villa is a joke. That squad has no European football and only play league and fa cup. You don’t need as big a squad as the rest. To think Liverpool have two strikers that could easily score over 50 goals between them and still not get champions league football is unheard of in the game! Get out there and win the home games against the top three and your back in with them starting Saturday!
Spurs Arsenal Chelsea and City to come to Anfield , palace Fulham Cardiff Swansea Sunderland and west ham away … I think any manager would be happy with that draw especially after only dropping 4 points at home all season , I have no doubt it’s one story for the media and another for the dressing room , there is a big gap at the minute but arsenal next 8 weeks of fixtures are insane ( including champions league ) I’d say Rodgers be secretly confident of a top 3 finish that he’s not still scrapping it out with the other clubs to finish fourth on the last day ,
That should give his team a lot of confidence over the rest of the season. Nothing like being told by your manager your not good enough to really inspire you. Complete idiot. And no, i don’t think its to take pressure off them.
I’d be concerned if that was what he was saying to the players privately. I think we all know what managers say publicly to the press is completely different to what they say to their players. I can’t imagine Mourinho for example telling his players after the win on Monday at city that they have no chance of winning the league despite what he says to sky sports directly are the match.
I think he’s trying to take pressure off players, it would be stupid to say anything to the effect that they going to win the thing, to be honest he’s got a point if you look at the squads city and chelsea have
Begrudgy, you would still be commenting on here calling him an idiot if he said that they could win the title this year. There is just no pleasing you. Sure didn’t Mourinho say that Chelsea (a team you tipped to take the title in another comment on this article) are not going to win the title this year also? Why wont you start slating him to?!….cop on.
As a Liverpool fan, Rodgers does spout a fair bit of nonsense at times! Last year he reckoned Liverpool could win the title despite being 8th in the league and having half the quality of this seasons team
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Liverpool have come on a lot this year but are still very suspect at the back…….a three horse race to the title, I think city will sneak it ahead of the gunners
Fancy Chelsea myself.
I think Arsenal will do it.
Honestly wouldn’t believe a word out of his or any other managers mouth . They all change the tune they’re humming each week to coincide with which ever team they’re playing next .
Hope they never win it..
Keep your mouth shut Rodgers and train the team. Of course Liverpool could be in it. Throwing away points at West Brom and against Aston Villa is a joke. That squad has no European football and only play league and fa cup. You don’t need as big a squad as the rest. To think Liverpool have two strikers that could easily score over 50 goals between them and still not get champions league football is unheard of in the game! Get out there and win the home games against the top three and your back in with them starting Saturday!
Spurs Arsenal Chelsea and City to come to Anfield , palace Fulham Cardiff Swansea Sunderland and west ham away … I think any manager would be happy with that draw especially after only dropping 4 points at home all season , I have no doubt it’s one story for the media and another for the dressing room , there is a big gap at the minute but arsenal next 8 weeks of fixtures are insane ( including champions league ) I’d say Rodgers be secretly confident of a top 3 finish that he’s not still scrapping it out with the other clubs to finish fourth on the last day ,
That should give his team a lot of confidence over the rest of the season. Nothing like being told by your manager your not good enough to really inspire you. Complete idiot. And no, i don’t think its to take pressure off them.
I’d be concerned if that was what he was saying to the players privately. I think we all know what managers say publicly to the press is completely different to what they say to their players. I can’t imagine Mourinho for example telling his players after the win on Monday at city that they have no chance of winning the league despite what he says to sky sports directly are the match.
I think he’s trying to take pressure off players, it would be stupid to say anything to the effect that they going to win the thing, to be honest he’s got a point if you look at the squads city and chelsea have
Begrudgy, you would still be commenting on here calling him an idiot if he said that they could win the title this year. There is just no pleasing you. Sure didn’t Mourinho say that Chelsea (a team you tipped to take the title in another comment on this article) are not going to win the title this year also? Why wont you start slating him to?!….cop on.
As a Liverpool fan, Rodgers does spout a fair bit of nonsense at times! Last year he reckoned Liverpool could win the title despite being 8th in the league and having half the quality of this seasons team