Liverpool gave Rodgers enough time, insists Werner

The Northern Irishman was sacked following the Reds's poor start to the Premier League season and the club chairman has now explained the rationale behind the decision

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner claims the club gave Brendan Rodgers enough time to save his job prior to his sacking last week.

The Northern Irishman was axed following a poor start to the Premier League season, with Liverpool taking just 12 points from their opening eight games to lie in 10th place.

Rodgers's last game came in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton, with Jurgen Klopp since named as his replacement, and Werner insists the former Swansea manager had ample time to salvage his position.

“When we appointed Brendan we thought he was going to be the right manager for Liverpool,” he told reporters. “Obviously we now feel that we have got the world-class manager and beyond that there is not much more I would like to say.

“We gave Brendan, as you know, an opportunity to see if we could improve this season. There was some very good football last season and some not so good football.”

Liverpool’s transfer committee was widely criticised in the aftermath of Rodgers’s sacking, but Werner maintains that the 42-year-old was behind the majority of Liverpool’s recruitment in the summer.

“There were some challenges that dealt with injuries, we brought in some new players that Brendan recommended that we thought would take us forward,” he added.

“We are where we are. I don’t want to say too much. Brendan is an outstanding manager and we decided to move in a different direction and I am very optimistic.”

Klopp was introduced to Liverpool’s fans on Friday, labelling himself “the normal one”, and Werner insists the club hierarchy will not place “undue pressure” on the former Borussia Dortmund coach.

“We have obviously had some great moments in these five years and came very close to winning the league two years ago,” he added. “Nobody is satisfied today with our position and as owners we are not going to put undue pressure on Jürgen.

“He knows that there are great expectations and when we look at the time line I think we have made some improvements. We all know the challenge that we saw when we came into the club five years ago and I think we are proud when we walked into the stadium today and we showed Jurgen the new main stand that is being constructed.


“Until we win more trophies we won’t be satisfied.”