Following a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, Brendan Rodgers accepts he must improve Liverpool’s results if he is to remain in charge of the Merseyside giants.
Despite taking an early lead through Rickie Lambert, the Reds suffered another Selhurst Park nightmare when Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak replied for the hosts. This was the Anfield club’s sixth loss of the league season already, and they are now in 12th position in the standings and some 18 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
This is in stark contrast to last season when, inspired by their talismanic frontman Luis Suarez, Rodgers led Liverpool to a second place finish and narrowly missed out on a first league title since 1990. Now, though, the Northern Irishman is responsible for their worst start to a season since 1992-93, and he accepts this could place his future in doubt.
“I’m not arrogant enough to think that I will be in a job through anything,” he said. “Any manager will tell you, that you have to win games and you have to get results, especially after how we’ve been developing as a football club. But I have a great communication line with the owners. We’ve been honest enough with each other, but ultimately you have to get results.
“You have to perform. Owners and directors and chairmen and chief executives have to see development on the field. Barring this period, our development has been very good and fast. But there’s no doubt as a manager you have to get results. I will only ever do my best. The best has seen us develop well. Now I need to fight even harder. And take the responsibility because as manager full responsibility comes down to me. Any pressure comes on to me.”
Liverpool take a break from Premier League action on Wednesday when they face Ludogorets in the UEFA Champions League. However, this brings a new kind of pressure to Rodgers who, having lost home and away to Real Madrid, knows his side need to get a result against the Bulgarians, and then against Basle, if they are to reach the last 16.
Unless they pull of a major surprise and conquer Europe for a sixth time, the Reds will need a top-four domestic finish if they are to compete in the tournament again next term. Despite their current low standing, they are just five points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, but they will consider three points imperative when they face Stoke City next week.
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