Gerrard: Brendan must come clean
LEGEND WANTS ANSWERS OVER AXING COACHES
Steven Gerrard wants Brendan rodgers to explain what is going on at liverpool after two of his backroom staff were sacked last week.
the liverpool manager’s job was severely under threat after a lacklustre season, but after crunch talks with chairman tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group president Michael Gordon, rodgers remained in charge while his long- serving assistant Colin Pascoe and first-team coach Mike Marsh were let go.
Gerrard is now expecting a public explanation from his former boss on why the changes have been made.
the former liverpool captain said: ‘I am very interested to see who Brendan has alongside him and also to hear why he has made those decisions. I was very surprised. I didn’t expect there to be any changes in the staff positions.
‘ I think Brendan and the bosses have made those decisions and I’m keen to see how he tries to improve or strengthen his staff. I don’t have that relationship with Brendan any more where I might have got a bit of a nudge on it.’
rene Meulensteen and Sami hyypia are under consideration for the no 2 role, as is Pako aye-staran, who worked with rafael Benitez at anfield. rodgers will have to choose wisely, given that his performances next season will be under scrutiny after his failure to win a trophy in three years at the club and struggling to sixth in the table last campaign. But Gerrard believes that the players he signs — having already secured the services of Danny Ings from Burnley and James Milner from Manchester City — will play a more important role.
Speaking at the launch of Bt Sport europe, Gerrard said: ‘now I’m on the outside looking in, I hope they strengthen in a few areas and make the team competitive in the league and break back into the top four. everyone is hurting and frustrated at how last season went.’
On whether the staff changes would affect the unity of the squad, Gerrard added: ‘We will have to wait and see. the most important thing is who they sign to strengthen the team.’
the former england captain also warned forward raheem Sterling that he risks becoming a bit-part player at another club if he leaves anfield this summer. ‘For the player’s sake and for all of us fans, he needs to make the decision quickly,’ said Gerrard. ‘I hope he stays. For his development as a player he has a fantastic manager to look after him and a great set of team-mates.
‘I think it’s important he plays week in, week out and keeps trying to learn and strive to become a world-class player.
‘the frustrating thing would be if he went to a club and became a squad player and didn’t have that chance to progress. that’s the risk.’ BT Sport Europe is the new home of top European football, with all UEFA Champions League matches and all UEFA Europa League matches exclusively live. Visit btsport. com/ europe for more information.