Realist Rodgers prepares for a major rebuild
LIVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he faces a rebuilding job to turn Liverpool into a top-four team this summer after seeing their hopes of Champions League qualification all but extinguished by defeat at Hull. It left Rodgers’s side still seven points adrift of arch rivals Manchester United having used up their game in hand and once again underlined the frailties in his squad. After selling Luis Suarez last summer and seeing strike partner Daniel Sturridge sidelined by injury for much of the season, Rodgers conceded that Liverpool lack star quality. He said: ‘For supporters and players it’s always great if you can get in those marquee players that can really help you — the one or two that maybe we need. The club are working very hard and the owners will support that. If they’re available and affordable, the club will do everything to get them. That’s the challenge for me next season: building a team that can get through the rough waters. ‘At times in the season when it’s tough you have to get through that. If you’re going to make a challenge at the top end of the field like we did last year then you’re going to need that. We need to refocus and look to improve the squad. ‘It’s about the quality of players. You can’t hide from the fact that we’ve lost over 50 goals — the reality is that isn’t in the team any more. Even with Suarez and Sturridge and those players we weren’t tipped to be in the top four. ‘The challenge is even greater for us with Luis gone and Daniel injured for most of the season.’ Rodgers jumped to the defence of beleaguered striker Mario Balotelli, who was substituted midway through the second half after another ineffectual performance. Rodgers inisisted: ‘Mario is doing his best — he’s come off tonight with a foot injury. I think it’s clear over the course of the season, not just in this game, that he’s struggling. ‘But Mario has got a few years left on his contract and it is fair to say that every single player here is playing for his future.’ More than half the away section at the KC Stadium was empty as Liverpool fans boycotted the game in protest over the price of watching Premier League football. Tickets for last night’s game were £50, up from £35 last season. Protest organising group Spirit of Shankly said: ‘Tonight’s protest against ticket prices has been a massive success. Over half of all tickets for the away end have gone unused. Supporters up and down the country are angry and supporters at LFC are prepared to step up in the fight for more affordable football. ‘Enough is Enough.’