Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood ready to face “wounded animal” in Liverpool

On Wednesday night Rodgers’ team needed extra-time and penalties to avoid the embarrassment against Carlisle United in the League Cup.

“I’m never complacent enough to think (my position won’t be under threat)”. I always did as a player and now as a manager.

“And in all fairness, whatever happens here, whether I’m here for one day more, one month, another year, or whatever, I’ll always have huge respect for the people here, the owners and Ian Ayre”.

“I don’t think it [the pressure] goes away unless you’re winning games but I know that we’ve created that expectancy because of how we’ve worked”. I walked in here as a 38 year old manager and as I sit here I am much better manager, but I understand I must get results. It only takes one win and we’re back around top four. It’s still very early in the season.

“The players that are selectable really want to play and fight for the team. They’re an incredible bunch and working harder than ever”.

“Certainly from my perspective, in all competitions we’ve lost less games than Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal”.

Brendan Rodgers shakes hands with Tim Sherwood at the end of the FA Cup Semi-Final in April.

The poor run of results has heaped the pressure on Rodgers’ shoulders with speculation intensifying that he could be set for the chop if the club don’t get back to winning ways quickly.

Rodgers also offered updates on the club’s injuries, including among their strikers. “It’s probably what drives a manager on – that fear; positive fear”, he said. Liverpool’s tailspin has not left Rodgers doubting himself but, rather, whether the club is set up for any manager to truly thrive given the constant state of flux that seems to prevail on the pitch if not always off it.

“It is something that I have an inherent belief in what I do”.

“We nearly achieved great things”. But I don’t shy away from the fact that you need results and performances in order to stay in work.

“To manage a club at this level, of course it presents you with challenges”. I would love it to be here but I’m a realist. He would have won the English Premier League for the first time in, I don’t know how many years. “They have caused Liverpool real problems at Anfield in the past few seasons but I cannot see a repeat of that on Saturday”.