Video courtesy of nhlsarok
Ahead of Sunday’s crucial clash with Manchester United, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has not only urged his players to bounce back from their disappointing exit from the Champions League midweek, but to remember that when they travel to Old Trafford this weekend, that they’re representing the supporters and the city in this long standing rivalry.
“It’s more than a football game – you’re representing a city and a group of supporters where there has been a great rivalry over many years,” said the Northern Irishman in his pre-match press conference. “It’s a very important game – it always is. It’s a massive game in the fixture list in this country and for various reasons. It’s a game that we go into and want to do well in. It was an outstanding result and performance last season and if we could replicate that then we’ll be very happy.”
Although their league position might suggest otherwise, United have struggled in kind this season with — much like Liverpool — a number of high profile injuries exacerbating their on field woes. Rodgers touched on a number of stars coming back into contention for spots in the squad as well as the contract talks between the club and star winger Raheem Sterling during his chat with the media, but he always kept the focus on getting a result on Sunday.
“For us, it was vital we could not dwell on the disappointment for too long. The day after, of course, it’s difficult because of not qualifying, but we were back in and working” he said of missing out on a spot in the next round of the Champions League. “Today on the training field, it’s our job as staff to lift that spirit and this is a group that is fully focused on winning and performing well. The game against Manchester United is perfect for us and we hope to take that confidence and spirit into the game.”
