Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers rules his side out of title race Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has rejected the idea of his side becoming Premier League champions. The Reds are currently in fourth, eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal - who they welcome to Anfield on Saturday - and just six behind second-placed Chelsea. However, Rodgers believes Champions League qualification is the sole target for his side and insists they are not yet ready to challenge at the top. The 41-year-old told Sky Sports: "I think for us, as a team, it's too early for that. "I was at the Manchester City v Chelsea game the other night and I look at the squads they have, which they have built up over the last few years. "It's very difficult for us, even though we have competed right the way through the season." "We look and there are six points between us and Chelsea, so there is still a lot to play for and we will be fighting right until the very end. "But if I'm asked to give an honest answer, I'd probably say that this year is too soon for us." After this weekend's clash, the Reds will face Arsene Wenger's men in the FA Cup, with Liverpool fans furious at the allocation they have received. They had been entitled to 9,000 tickets for the fifth round clash but will receive just 5,168 due to safety issues. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...s-brendan-rodgers-rules-3115090#ixzz2sT8z5Wxj Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
"They had been entitled to 9,000 tickets for the fifth round clash but will receive just 5,168 due to safety issues." what a crock of ****! good to hear about the title talk to be honest as we was never really in it any way, we don't have the squad, yet.
Ha, well I may put away my giant LFC champions 2014 banner away with then...... Also, was reading earlier about the ticket allocation. Did same thing to spurs on grounds that standing in upper tiers was the reason. Yet gave full allocation to Coventry. SOS have challenged it with the FA, asking if it's not safe to allow LFC or Spurs fans to stand how is it for home fans every other week? And how has a modern stadium passed it's safety certificate to hold matches or concerts if 4k people standing and in the case of concerts jumping up and down and dancing lol, poses a significant enough health and safety risk to ignore FA Rules. Surely the whole place should be shut down... And we know the FA are are stickler for strictly adhering to their rules don't we?
I disagree with Rodgers. All season I've said that we must keep winning the title at the forefront of our mind until such times it becomes mathematically impossible. We still have to play all of those above us at home. They all have the added problem of CL football and anything can happen. That 6 point gap can disappear very quickly. He's right we have the smallest squad and less experienced players. Ideally they would need another season and more strengthening to mount a challenge. However what are you going to do if the opportunity does fall into your lap? Just say we've got to lose because we are not supposed to be ready until next season? My fear is that by down-grading your sights you start on a slippery slope. I hope SOS are successful. The new limit does not make sense.
He's only saying what we all know, and probably what the players all know. Even if we play to our best, if City/Chelsea play to their best, with the quality and depth in squad that they have they should win it. If we're in the challenge then that's great and everyone will be gunning for it, but think he's just playing down the talk so no one is too disappointed if we "only" finish 4th.
I doubt Rogers has given up on the title, but this statement takes the pressure of them in public and also stops him looking a tit by saying were well in the title race or where aiming for second like last year and then getting tonked by a ****e side. If we were 20 point clear i would rather he downplayed our chances than talked us up. Whats said to the media and whats said to the players will be a very different kettle of fish.
if mourinho can say it rodgers can.. but he has given up on it cos he never played for it. he says blocks of 5 and targeting 2 out of 3 points. thats not the title. am i worried? nope. its realism
Realism it may be, but Dave calls it right. They do have to come to Anfield. We are good at home. They do have to cope with the CL commitments. And a 6 point gap can be closed. It may not be likely, but not impossible. Brendan is doing the sensible thing and not stoking the fires in the press, but I'll bet anything you like Brendan isn't saying that on the training ground. He'll be buffing their confidence, telling them to believe that they CAN do it...
If he really thought we could push for the title, he would have strengthened over the window, which he didn't. Fair enough, I trust he will get us 4th and he does too, but that title will slip further and further over the years if we don't start building NOW.
If he wasn't building then Sturridge, Sakho, Coutinho would not be here. Suso would not have been sent on loan to gain experience and reina would still be in goal!
Have to laugh that he keeps saying the move from seventh to first is to much to achieve in one season. Moyes seems to be managing the reverse okay.
What I mean is Rodgers is smart enough to know that a title push would have needed a few strong acquisitions. His lack of signings clearly means that he feels what we have is good enough for top 4 (and I agree). I feel that this shows his words above to be true and that he is only aiming for 4th. However starting in the summer our efforts have to be doubled from now on
quote: "It's very difficult for us, even though we have competed right the way through the season." "We look and there are six points between us and Chelsea, so there is still a lot to play for and we will be fighting right until the very end. where does he say 4th.. thats an assumption. he's merely stating fact. here i am defending rodgers eh? see... told you i simply calls it like i sees it.
it just shows.... cheslea have no fans... utd fans all killed themselves... everyone else thought city would win... and lfc fans love to fix polls by voting like mad. I am just f'n shcoked anyone ovted for everton. i bet that was tobes voting 50 times.
