Brendan Rodgers Reveals What Was in Envelopes on 'Being: Liverpool' Documentary

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that his famous Being: Liverpool motivational speech involving three envelopes was a ruse, with no names inside.

Rodgers had told his squad that he had written down the names of three footballers within the squad who would let the team down that year.

However, Rodgers admitted to ESPN‘s Roger Bennett this week that "there were no names."

The report quotes Rodgers as having said during the fly-on-the-wall documentary:

"

When I arrived here, the first few days were analysing the group, the staff, the players. I think there’s three players who will let us down this year — the cause, the fight, everything. And I have written them down already.

Now my point to you as players — and staff — is make sure you are not the one in the envelope, because you are so important.

If we are going to achieve, to be the best we can, we need to be together. But I think there’s three, maximum, who will let us down. Make sure you’re not the one.

"

It was a motivational technique that gained much press attention in the days following its initial broadcast, with much speculation as to which players' names may have been in the envelope.

Rodgers has overseen a major redesign of Liverpool's playing squad and style over the past 18 months, leading some to suggest that he had a good idea at the start as to which players would suit his setup.

However, the Northern Irishman has been happy to bring players back into the fold who were initially on the outside, with Jose Enrique an example of someone who has fought his way back into the Reds' squad.

The envelopes did not need to have names in. The point was not "who will let us down," but rather to get each individual player thinking about how they could do more for the team.

Given the improvement in Liverpool's play over the duration of his time at the club, it would be fair to say that his modern way of challenging his players through psychological techniques is working.

Rodgers has always stressed that the manner of play and attitude of his side are two keys to his management philosophy. Thus far, it is fair to say that he has not been let down by his group at Anfield.