Rodgers acknowledges that his job is under threat

Brendan Rodgers admitted in his pre-match news conference that his job is under threat and says the fear of being dismissed is something that all Liverpool managers, past and present, have to live with.

I’m never complacent enough to think it [my job] never has been [under threat].

You need to be at your best every day and when you come into a club of this stature and thrive on that fear. Sure that threat is always there, but it is something that does not frighten me. It is something that I have an inherent belief in what I do. I think I have shown in my time here that when I work with the players at the level we have had before we have gone on and achieve nearly great things.

However, the recent downturn in performances and results has not damaged the manager’s confidence, or at least that’s the message he has delivered today.

We have been constantly rebuilding here and now we have a new group of players and are looking to remould them in order to take them forward. My belief in confidence is there and always has been. We nearly achieved great things. We have a new group of players and we are looking to take it forward. I do not shy away from the fact we need to get results and perform well.

Expectancy is always high at Liverpool; the fans demand success, it’s what the club has always been about. Rodgers seems to accept that and says that the performance levels achieved by his team in the recent past only adds to that expectancy.

I don’t think [pressure] goes away unless one you are winning games and getting the performance level. For me I know we have created the expectancy because we produced a high level. We created the expectancy because of how well the team was operating.

He went on to say that he intends to be the Liverpool manager for a long, long time, something that at this moment looks highly unlikely. In fact, there’s many who think that he’ll be lucky to last another 20 days, never mind 20 years.

I hope to be a manager for 20 years. I know it won’t be 20 years here but while I am here I want to fight for the club and the players. They have worked hard and are working harder than ever. We will look to start again.

The experiences make you better. There is a focus and scrutiny every day. I have enjoyed every minute of it. I don’t read and see so much and that gives me a clear mind. My time here has been enjoyable and I hope it continues and I will be here for a long period.

Rodgers was asked about Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti, both of whom have been linked with his job in the recent past, but Rodgers says that’s not something that bothers him.

First, in terms of names, when you are a manager of a club of this size there is always going to speculation around your job and when you don’t win that will intensify. Since I have been here I think there have been ten managers linked with job and that is part and parcel of the game. I have regular contact with the owners and the relationship is always strong. Whether I am here for one day more or one month or whatever I will always have respect for the people here, the owners and Ian Ayre. I will do what I will always do and do the best I can. If you don’t get results, the pressure is here but I enjoy challenges. I walked in here as a 39-year-old manager and as I sit here I am much better manager, but I understand I must get results. We know with one win you are back near the top four.

Finally, Rodgers had a message to the fans, many of whom are hoping to see him leave.

Keep faith in the team and the players. It’s not about me. The players are working tirelessly. It is an honest group. Stay with the team. In this early period, it will only take a couple of results to turn it around.