Reds reaching the peak, claims Rodgers after win
LONDON: Brendan Rodgers claimed Liverpool are hitting top gear at the right time as they booked their place in the FA Cup quarterfinals.
Liverpool have now lost just once from their last 16 games in all competitions. The Merseysiders are making a charge for a Champions League return in the Premier League.
Rodgers’ side are still in the hunt for silverware in the Europa League and now they are three victories away from ensuring Steven Gerrard signs off with an FA Cup winners’ medal.
Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana helped Liverpool earn the comeback 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Rodgers admits England striker Sturridge’s return from a longawaited injury that has wiped out over half of the season cannot be underestimated.
He said: “Danny is working his way back. It’s about extending his game time.
“I have to do that or you risk reinjuring him, and that’s something we can’t afford.
“You can see his qualities, his speed and his touch. The team is functioning at a high level at the moment. His return gives us a big boost for the last part of the season.”
A half-time rallying cry from new manager Tim Sherwood inspired Aston Villa to beat Premier League rivals Leicester City 2-1 on Sunday and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
UNITED FACE PRESTON PRESTON: Louis van Gaal has loved every minute of Manchester United’s FA Cup run this season even though he feels the “world has been against them”.
Van Gaal’s side travel to third tier Preston North End in the fifth round on Monday to make it a hattrick of away ties against teams outside of English football’s top two divisions.
“It is a fantastic competition,” Van Gaal said. “I have already described that we have to play for the third time a lower team, and you know the world is against you, the environment is against you because everyone is with the underdog. It is more difficult to accept but it’s like that.”