Liverpool would have qualified for the Champions League had Daniel Sturridge been fit throughout last season, their manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted.
But three, four, five or six, the simple fact is Rodgers was not able to work with such able defenders as he was attackers. Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, Kolo Toure, Can, Moreno: none could claim to have consistently shone under the guidance of the
Having been hired from Swansea after the 2011/2012 season, Rodgers lasted three-plus years at the helm, the third best mark among managers in the Premier League. Only Arsene Wenger and Nigel Pearson have lasted longer at their respective clubs.
Brendan Rodgers, the Liverpool manager, presented his case for continued employment with idiosyncratic eloquence after his team beat Aston Villa 3-2 but still defended poorly.
Brendan Rodgers was fired as Liverpool manager after a 1-1 draw at Everton on Sunday and Alexis Sanchez's stunning double inspired Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Manchester United, ending a chaotic weekend in the English Premier League.