Rodgers warns Compper the fine form of Ajer means rarely-sighted stopper must stay on the sidelines
BY CRAIG SWAN clear for us, his experience and his way of working with the younger guys in training. Of course he wants to play as well but these aren’t fitness games we’re playing.
“I’m certainly not sentimental. We need to pick a team that gets the results. I’ll make a change if I don’t like the way we’re playing.
“It’s always been irrespective of age for me. When I first came in Kris was a midfielder and I thought his best position would be centre-half. Maybe in Norway he could play midfield but he has big possibilities at centre-half.
“I knew he wasn’t going to get the games there for me at first so we loaned him to Kilmarnock to get that positional experience. But it was more so he had to head the ball because I knew he would be under pressure at Kilmarnock.
“That’s important if he’s going to do well in the British game.
“He did well there, came back to us and looked as if he’d developed as a man. Then it was just about timing and when to put him in.
“He did well in some of the Champions League qualifiers but still needed more time to develop. Now he’s in the team with a better understanding of the position.
“He has everything. His potential is huge. He’s 6ft 5in, quick, can play football. He’s a very bright boy as well, he knows there’s still a lot of learning for him. He’s got this great hunger to get better, which I love in players, and
he’s not even 20 yet. Rodgers is clear that the defender is still having an influence at the club without playing.
Similar to Kolo Toure without as much experience of the top level, the defender is passing on tips to kids such as Jack Hendry and Ajer.
Rodgers added: “He’s a really good communicator. He has certain qualities which really help support others.
“We have a lot of young players in our squad, especially in central defence, so to have that experience around them helps. From a coaching and management perspective it’s valuable having him around even if he’s not playing.”
Musonda has on been on the fringes after signing an 18-month loan deal from Chelsea.
At 21 he is looking to enhance his development and Rodgers believes he is a sparkling asset.
Musonda has only made one start and three sub appearances but Rodgers says the kid is satisfied to bide his time and bed into the scene before really looking to shine next term.
BRENDAN RODGERS
“But he’s enjoying every minute of it and knows that over time here he will get an opportunity to show it in training where he works well and then in the games. It’s just time, that’s all.
“All players want to play but he’s no different to Patrick Roberts or some of the others. They have a respect for where they are and what the team is doing. They respect that you can only pick 11 players.
“He’s absolutely fine. He’s here for the 18 months and by the end of that he knows he is going to be a better player.
“He’ll make some appearances from when he arrived in January to the end of this season. Then I think next season will be a big one for him to make his mark.”