please log in to view this image The Reds boss believes he has seen enough in pre-season so far to suggest his side are in an improved position to challenge for a top-four berth - particularly with the additions of Kolo Toure, Simon Mignolet, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto so far this summer. Speaking at a packed-out press conference in Jakarta, Rodgers said: "The Champions League is a competition we're fighting to get in. "The great name of Liverpool as a club and the history of the club dictate that we should be in that competition. There's no other measure for us. "The challenge is very, very difficult because of the competitors now in England. We have to continue to fight - and I believe we can put up a great fight this year. "It was very difficult for us last season with a new infrastructure and a new way of working and playing, but I believe this season we can put up a great fight. Let's hope we can get back to where the club belongs." Rodgers celebrated a year in charge of Liverpool in June and feels the stability implemented over the past 12 months will stand the Reds in good stead in their quest for success. The manager added: "I've looked at how we've started our pre-season and that start base and foundation is already in place. "Last year at the club, it was really about putting together the infrastructure of the club again, looking to rebuild and put lots of facets in place that will really help us going forward. From what I have seen this summer so far, even in pre-season, I really believe there is a real stability there. "In England, it has shown over the years that the teams that have went on and done well have had that stability. I'm very sure we can really challenge this year and the stability is important for that." "We really want to have a greater fight for the Champions League spots right from the very first whistle. "That's our prime aim and we would like to do well in the cup competitions. Our squad was a little bit thin last year, but this year we're going into those [cup competitions] as well as the league and look to make the steps we want to make. "The four new players have settled in really well and all looked very, very good in their first two weeks of training. I'm really happy with them." please log in to view this image Liverpool were afforded an incredible welcome upon touching down in Jakarta on Wednesday. It's the Reds' first ever visit to the country and the incredible reception the club have received has not gone unnoticed. Rodgers said: "It has been incredible - it has been so welcoming of us. It was very humbling at the airport yesterday. When we arrived on the tarmac, we thought there were quite a few people there watching us from when we landed - but when we got out into the road, the reception we got was incredible. "We were talking about it this morning amongst the players. It really makes you aware and understand the status in which the club is held throughout the world. "As the manager of this football club, it gives me great pride and honour to come here as the manager of the first Liverpool team ever to visit Indonesia. It's an incredible country and we're really looking forward to being here for the next few days." Liverpool will face an Indonesia XI on Saturday as preparations for 2013-14 continue. They'll then take in Australia and Thailand before returning to Merseyside. An Indonesia Dream Team were beaten 7-0 by Arsenal on Sunday, but Rodgers believes his side are in for a tough test at the Gelora Bung Karno National Stadium. He said: "The stadium is fine. The pitch a little bit dry, but it's nice and big and we can understand how dry it is with the weather here. We're really looking forward to playing in the stadium and bringing our team to the great supporters here. "There are a number of players who will be a threat to us. I know there are a number of players coming back who have been with the U23 squad, which will make them stronger, so we'll be fully aware. It's still part of our physical preparation and we know the game will be a huge test for us. The Indonesian XI have a number of good players and we'll have to contain them. "If you look at the game against Arsenal, tactically the team were very good. They played in a 4-4-2 diamond, which can be complicated for the opponent, and the team were technically strong. Tactically they played the game very well and it was very close until the 70th minute - it was 2-0." Meanwhile, local journalists were eager to quiz the boss on potential transfer targets for the remainder of the summer - specifically whether former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was in his thinking, to which Rodgers gave a generalised response. "There have been probably 100 players linked with Liverpool, and Xabi Alonso has been one of them," he said. "I've read many names from many different countries, and there have been many outstanding players. Xabi was someone who was an incredible player for the club, a wonderful role model for Liverpool. "He's in a different moment in his career at Real Madrid and has been one of many players linked with the football club." One reporter quizzed the manager on whether he would ever consider signing an Indonesian player. Rodgers replied: "At Liverpool Football Club we just want good players and it doesn't matter what country they're from - if it's an Asian player, a South American player or a European player, it doesn't really matter. Liverpool is a worldwide institution and so we'll always attract players from around the world, but we only want good players. That's something we'll always be looking for at the club." http://www.lfctour.com/news/latest-news/rodgers-my-top-four-confidence
Hate it when people involved in the club come out and say things like this, it just sets us up to fail IMO.
All he said was that we'll be in a better position to fight for top 4 - not that we'll get top 4. I see no problem with his answers given the questions he would have been facing.
Agreed. If he says it would be difficult and unrealistic to get close to the top 4 this season would that be ok? I can only imagine the comments on here if that happened. Prefer to have what he said than 'we'll just take one game at a time' bollox
I always liked Kenny's answers, but at the time no one else seemed to. They said he was cold and almost hostile towards the press, but it was only because he couldn't be arsed answering the loaded questions or the ones which every manager responds with the same old recycled comment. They were worth listening to at the very least.
I think it was more a case of other managers before him had been more open and Kenny was trying to go back to how it used to be #laundrydoneinprivate
I think this approach would have been funny and acceptable if we were winning the league etc. But we're not in that position any more so that hostility just came across as angry, bitter and embarrassing (IMO).
And the press hated him for it because he gave nothing away (even thought they could just transfer comments from any of the other managers and it would fit - they're all the ****ing same these days) which is why there was so much anti-kenny built up.
Heard that a few times too, embarrassing. Never understood it. I was proud to have a manager who didn't read his answers off the 'manager press answers 101' list. Seriously. Every ****ing manager in the PL gives the same answers after every game. It's not worth listening to ever. Player comments are the same, boring, recycled and a waste of time. It really is at the point where the reporters could just write it up without the interview and no one would notice. Refusing to give responses to the S*n was brilliant - but he received negativity for that too.
No it was to do with his personal distrust of the press and rightly so in his case. As for what BR says, he's a 'why use 10 words when a 100 will do' type of guy. He hasn't outright done a Martinez, but we should be challenging for top 4 and if he's not thinking along those lines then he should be.
I was a fan of Kenny's cold answers to the press because I hate them with a passion. But in this day and age where PR and media play such a big part in football, we have to get on with them. As I said, if we were in a better position where we dominated the league, then we could justify the 'arrogance' and cold responses but we can't even get CL football so the responses come across as bitter.
How many on here actually listen / read the press conference stuff? I very rarely take any notice and the only time I do is when something big happens. They seem to be a much to do about nothing IMO, something to fill a gap and satisfy certain sections of the fans
Agreed. Surely we all think we have to aim for top 4 (at least) and that's all he's said. The players should have it drilled into them that recent positions aren't acceptable. If they find that that's too much pressure then they shouldn't be at the club simple as that.
But it doesn't. It's just all bollocks. Frank, how does it feel to have broken the Chelsea scoring record? (you know) It's a proud moment for me of course, but (you know), the most important thing for me was (you know) getting the 3 points....blah blah blah. Don't lie, you're ****ing over the moon mate! Sir Alex, you're playing opposition two leagues below you, should be an easy win right? No I don't think you can say that. They'll be up for the game, big game for them and they'll want to win it. They'll be tough to beat and play some good football, and we'll have to play well to go through. Yawn, hours before Gillingham (random club picked) get smashed 5-0 by United reserves. You could literally (and I mean literally) replace those names and clubs with anyone else and the comments fit. For such a PR and media sport, it's a complete waste of everyone's ****ing time, don't you think? I honestly don't understand why people read/listen/buy into this crap. It never came across as bitter to me. His answers were short, but the only ones who really cared were the reporters who then went and spun it negatively against him. Besides, I remember alot of interviews he gave with the likes of the BBC where he gave great, indepth responses all smiles. He was only short with the gutter press - particularly the s*n. Anyway, getting off track. I liked Kenny's responses. I'm bored of Rodger's responses because they're nothing new - but there was nothing wrong with todays.
