Just looking at his interview as the club have arrived in Helsinki. Now it the start of the season. The game will represent the toughest test, a team already having played in the Champions League and will likely put out a team maintaining good levels of form and fitness... So what did Rodgers have to say... Here are the key points...
On incomings (and outgoings) since being Liverpool manager:
"In terms of the squad and the changes, there are obviously natural changes that take place each season and when you lose some players, they have to be replaced. The idea is to try to hopefully have a settled group of players over the next number of seasons, but that's also dependent on the player as well - sometimes, if he's not playing so much, the player feels the need to move."
On his choice to change players and staff:
"I've been delighted with the contribution of the new players and staff since they came in. There's a real commitment to how we're working and I've seen that on the training field - we're working very, very hard on and off the training field with the players."
On the new players settling in:
"All of the players have settled in, that's the key - making them feel a part of the spirit. ... I've been pleased with the collective - I think they're bonding very well together, working very, very hard and looking very focused in order to achieve this season."
On the squad he has taken to Helsinki, and Coutinho's fitness:
"We've still brought a very strong squad of players here - players who have mostly been with us throughout [pre-season], apart from young Coutinho who has got a real natural fitness level and has come back in real, real good condition."
On Benteke and Firmino's fitness:
"I have a great belief in the players and if they [Benteke and Firmino] weren't available or fit enough, then the players that have been working certainly will be."
On the expectations of the friendly and opposition:
"But for us, the last game of pre-season is always about trying to get a strong game and that hopefully allows you to take that final preparation game into your first game of the season. We know coming to here, it will be a very good opponent and gives us a chance to be tested to the maximum."
On the primary focus this summer:
"We've been reinforcing a lot of that work in terms of pressing and defensive organisation. Once you have that, it gives you the foundation to go and be creative. You only need to look at the market and the players we've brought in to see that we wanted to improve our goals. We've looked to bring in players that can create and score goals - but the foundation will always be our defensive organisation, and that's something that's been worked very hard on."
On Benteke's first impression in training:
"I've read and seen things about his game, but in the short period of time he's been in, I've been even more impressed. ... This isn't someone who lacks pace, movement and intelligence. He's not just a guy who you chuck the ball up to. Of course, his strength allows you to keep the ball, but he'll really help the unpredictability of our game this season. We know he can play football, we know he can play counter-attack, but we also know when we cross the ball, we've got a real presence in the box that is going to allow us to keep the ball in the box for periods of time and for others to get goals from."
On the difficulty of finding players capable of donning the Liverpool shirt:
"The players we've brought into Liverpool Football Club are all really good players - they're all fantastic players, otherwise they wouldn't be at the club. But it's how players cope with the pressure of playing for one of the leading clubs in the world. That can always differ and be difficult."
On his excitement for Benteke's long-term importance at the club:
"For the likes of Christian, he's coming in and is one I'm excited about because of what he offers and what's he's been as an opponent against us. Coming in to a club like Liverpool, he can be a real hero for the supporters. I look at the likes of him and the boys we've signed, we've also got Daniel Sturridge to come back - we mustn't forget about him and once he gets back fit, we're going to have an array of talent that can score and create goals - I am excited to work with them all. With Christian, I am really looking forward to his presence at the club."
Last edited by jjmelling/Stato; 31/07/15 09:03 PM.
