EPL: Rodgers searching for Liverpool revival

The Reds’ manager defends Balotelli ahead of West Brom clash


Afp October 03, 2014

LIVERPOOL: Manager Brendan Rodgers will be looking to make amends for a poor start to the season against West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on Saturday to lift his team from 14th place in the Premier League table.

Rodgers has not only had to cope with the loss of the irreplaceable Luis Suarez, but also with a prolonged injury absence to England striker Daniel Sturridge and a tepid start from new signing Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli’s latest antics, such as his refusal to applaud the visiting support in their 1-0 loss to FC Basel in the Champions League, will not endear him to the Anfield faithful but Rodgers is of the view that no individual should be singled out for blame.

"We need to return to being a team,” he said. “When confidence is low, it can become about individual efforts, but we have to get back to being a team.”

However, Rodgers did stress that Balotelli needs to contribute more goals for the club. "The boy is trying to work hard in the way that we demand,” he said. “In terms of goals, he needs to improve. There is no question about that. He has not hit the numbers he would have wanted to.”

Rodgers’ Liverpool are once again looking like the side he took over from Kenny Dalglish in 2012, but the Northern Irishman is confident of restoring Liverpool to the heights of last season.

"It's an exciting challenge," he said. "In the first 18 months, we have been on a magic carpet ride with our performances. Now, we are in a period of transition.” 

City eye win against Villa

Manchester City have the chance to put their Champions League concerns to one side and move within two points of Premier League leaders Chelsea when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

After losing at Bayern Munich in their opening European tie this season and drawing 1-1 with Roma in matchday two, City face an uphill task of qualifying from their Champion’s League group.

The Premier League champions are also off the pace in the league, having won only three of their six matches so far this season, and dropping points with a defeat to Stoke and draws against Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, midfielder James Milner, who joined City from Villa in 2010, thinks Manuel Pellegrini's side have shown that they can improve on their form. "They [Villa] have started pretty well this season, so it's another tough game for us," said Milner. "But our form away from home has been pretty good so far this season, and hopefully we can go there and get a good result before the international break.

City manager Pellegrini's attacking options have been boosted by the return to fitness of Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic, who featured in Tuesday’s draw against Roma.

 

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