STEVIE G WAS NOT TO BLAME

BRENDAN RODGERS admits Manuel Pellegrini deserved to beat him to the 2014 title – but insists Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip was not the reason the Reds fell short.

Asked about coming up again against Pellegrini, who won the league with Manchester City that season, Rodgers said:

“It was a tough one to take, but the best team deserved to win it over the 38 games – and they did.

“We played great football and went from seventh the season before to nearly winning the title, which was a massive jump. It was just a shame we couldn’t build on that.

“It was tough for Steven because, in my period there, he was absolutely fantastic.

“It was just one of those unfortunate things. People talked about pressure, but we weren’t showing any signs of it. We didn’t play with any pressure.

“Of the last 14 games, we won 12, drew one and lost one. It was unfortunate the Chelsea game we slipped up in, we played ever so well (Rodgers consoles Gerrard, above).

“People forget about Jordan Henderson. He got sent off at the end of the Manchester City game and his absence was a factor that really hurt us – he was so good at pressing.”

Rodgers has impressed in charge of the Foxes with four wins from his first six games in charge. He has got them playing at a faster tempo and is keen to nurture their young starlets.

But Rodgers admits Hammers’ England ace and holding midfielder Declan Rice is one of the country’s best young prospects.

He added: “Declan is a brilliant player. He came into the team as a centrehalf, made a couple of mistakes, but has shown his personality.

“He has this incredible in-built brain for football. You see how he dictates the game and organises for them. He is arguably their key player – and at such a young age.”