"There are People who Don't want me Here" Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists that
there has been a "frenzy" to remove him from
his position at Anfield, but insists he can
return the club to the upper reaches of the
Premier League.
Rodgers has come under pressure in recent
weeks after a mixed campaign in 2014-15
continued into this season, although a much-
improved display brought about victory against
Aston Villa on Saturday.
Following the 3-2 success at Anfield - their
first Premier League win in five matches -
Rodgers took aim at critics outside the club,
whom he accused of whipping up hysteria.
"I'm pretty confident there's a group of people
who don't want me here to be the manager,"
he told reporters on Saturday.
And the Northern Irishman has now stuck to
those claims, adding his confidence that he can
get Liverpool back to the level they were at
when they narrowly missed out on the Premier
League title two seasons ago with the likes of
the now-departed Luis Suarez and Raheem
Sterling on song.
"There has been a frenzy to get me out of
here. There is no question about that," Rodgers
stated.
"Whether that’s a Liverpool hysteria or big-
club hysteria, I am not so sure. The scrutiny
here is obviously greater, for me, than any
club. But it is a huge club and as a manager
you know that and deal with it.
"It's not about proving people wrong. I think I
have shown in the early stages of my
management – without being arrogant – that
with a talented group of players I can compete
at the top end of the league. There are very
short memories in football.
"The team was eighth when I got here and we
built and produced a team to excite people
throughout European football that should have
won the league. It didn't but nobody even
expected us to be near the top four.
"I know how to manage top players and manage
the group, but when you lose that or those
players are not available and you have to piece
it together, that takes time. Then all the good
work gets forgotten. That’s how it works.
"It seems the focus has not been on what’s
gone on and what we've been missing, but more
about getting me out of the club. That's sad. I
am the same man who nearly won us the league,
but better. If you give me the tools I'll do the
work.
"I know last season and this, there have been a
lot of things going against us, but we've always
managed to stick together. The players are
very much fighting and with players returning
we can have a great season."

•EM's15