Rodgers can take his time

TOP KOP ... Brendan Rodgers with Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole (right) in training yesterday

BRENDAN RODGERS is thankful that Liverpool’s owners do not have the same trigger-happy finger as Roman Abramovich.

Rodgers was preparing his side for tonight’s clash with Young Boys as Champions League-winner Roberto Di Matteo became the latest former Chelsea manager.

With progress to the Europa League knockout stages still no shoo-in, and just three league wins all season, the Kop boss could be forgiven for feeling a little nervous.

Yet John W Henry and Tom Werner — front men for Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group — have vowed to give Rodgers time to get it right.

And the Northern Irishman is under no illusions how much it means to have patience from the power-brokers.

Rodgers admitted: “Everyone knows that to turn around Liverpool and get to where we want to be, there is not going to be a quick fix — unless you are going to throw an absolute fortune at it.

“It was something we spoke about at length before I came here and they have been true to their word.”

Rodgers has been hit by a combination of lack of funds in the summer, coupled with players signed by previous managers hardly setting the world alight.

Yet it is something Henry and Werner are equally aware of — to the point he has received apologies from the Yanks when things have not gone well.

Rodgers added: “They have been remarkable with the support I have been given, especially early on when we lost some games.

“I had messages of support, some apologetic, that I had been given the group I have been.

“As a manager, that bodes well going forward.”

Rodgers was once a foot soldier in the Roman empire, spending four years on Jose Mourinho’s backroom team during Abramovich’s early days.

He is simply grateful the Kop hierarchy have a more realistic approach. And he insisted: “There
comes a point when reality has to set in. Whether it is me in my life here — I have got three years and an option for another — it is going to take longer than that.

“If the owners sees me as the right man to continue the vision we have tried to put in place, remains to be seen.

“But if we can grow this way of working, it can save a lot of time, money and effort and bring us success. These are the early stages of that.”

Rodgers admits football management has become a no-win game for some.

He admitted: “No matter how long it lasts for me here, I couldn’t think of anywhere better to be.

“But it is very difficult, just look at Nigel Adkins. He’s done an incredible job at Southampton,
got them promotions — and I know what it is like to come up with a promoted team. Yet this is a guy who was under pressure.

“They are talking about Brian McDermott getting replaced at Reading, but he has done a fantastic job getting them promoted.

“As a manager you know the territory and the one thing I’ve learned is the impossible can become the possible. Whether that is players or managers... you can never say it is impossible.”

Rodgers will sprinkle tonight’s team against the Swiss with senior stars, knowing his side will be in the last 32 if they win and Udinese fail to beat Anzhi.