English Premier League: Rodgers coy over Liverpool’s title prospects
Manager lauds side after 4-0 thumping over Fulham.
Liverpool were in full flow as they ran riot against Fulham, beating them 4-0 at Anfield on Saturday. PHOTO: REUTERS
LIVERPOOL:
Brendan Rodgers refused to label Liverpool as potential Premier League champions despite an emphatic 4-0 victory over Fulham that moved the Reds into second place in the table.
Seven victories in the opening 11 league games of the campaign have established Liverpool as a possible contender in the eyes of many and a return to Champions League football via a top-four finish seems a realistic target.
Rodgers, however, remains cautious and unwilling to analyse his team’s chances of capturing their first title in 24 years despite the continued excellence of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who has now netted eight goals in six league games last season.
“Luis took his goals well but him and Daniel Sturridge could have had one or two more,” said Rodgers.
“Our appetite in the game was outstanding, there was a real hunger to get the ball. We had over 30 shots on goal so it was a dominant performance.
“We are just taking it game by game. But the evidence we have shown is we are capable of collecting points. When I first came here, there was a real vulnerability and nervousness in games like this.
“Now, the focus and mentality is good and we are becoming relentless in this type of game. That’s what Liverpool is about. There is a real positive inset and belief in the squad.”
Mourinho forgives penitent saviour Hazard
Jose Mourinho praised Eden Hazard after the Belgian finished a difficult week by converting a hotly disputed 96th-minute penalty that prevented Chelsea from suffering a second successive Premier League defeat.
Hazard was disciplined after missing training this week, but he was restored to the line-up against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and struck the added-time equaliser that secured a 2-2 draw.
The 22-year-old had taken an unauthorised trip to France last Sunday and was delayed when he lost his passport, but Mourinho insists the matter is now closed.
“I don’t need to accept his apology,” he said. “I don’t need to think any more about it.
“It was a big penalty. Penalties are easy to score in training sessions – I score – as they are when you’re winning 3-0 or 4-0. But this was a difficult one and the kid was very calm.”
Mourinho was relieved with the draw, even though it brought an end to his side’s perfect record at home in the league this season.
“To lose points at home becomes normal. No team has a clean record at home. To drop a couple of points is normal.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2013.
Brendan Rodgers refused to label Liverpool as potential Premier League champions despite an emphatic 4-0 victory over Fulham that moved the Reds into second place in the table.
Seven victories in the opening 11 league games of the campaign have established Liverpool as a possible contender in the eyes of many and a return to Champions League football via a top-four finish seems a realistic target.
Rodgers, however, remains cautious and unwilling to analyse his team’s chances of capturing their first title in 24 years despite the continued excellence of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who has now netted eight goals in six league games last season.
“Luis took his goals well but him and Daniel Sturridge could have had one or two more,” said Rodgers.
“Our appetite in the game was outstanding, there was a real hunger to get the ball. We had over 30 shots on goal so it was a dominant performance.
“We are just taking it game by game. But the evidence we have shown is we are capable of collecting points. When I first came here, there was a real vulnerability and nervousness in games like this.
“Now, the focus and mentality is good and we are becoming relentless in this type of game. That’s what Liverpool is about. There is a real positive inset and belief in the squad.”
Mourinho forgives penitent saviour Hazard
Jose Mourinho praised Eden Hazard after the Belgian finished a difficult week by converting a hotly disputed 96th-minute penalty that prevented Chelsea from suffering a second successive Premier League defeat.
Hazard was disciplined after missing training this week, but he was restored to the line-up against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday and struck the added-time equaliser that secured a 2-2 draw.
The 22-year-old had taken an unauthorised trip to France last Sunday and was delayed when he lost his passport, but Mourinho insists the matter is now closed.
“I don’t need to accept his apology,” he said. “I don’t need to think any more about it.
“It was a big penalty. Penalties are easy to score in training sessions – I score – as they are when you’re winning 3-0 or 4-0. But this was a difficult one and the kid was very calm.”
Mourinho was relieved with the draw, even though it brought an end to his side’s perfect record at home in the league this season.
“To lose points at home becomes normal. No team has a clean record at home. To drop a couple of points is normal.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2013.