Brendan Rodgers Exclusive: Liverpool Manager on Genius of Suarez, Fans and More

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has steered the club into possible Premier League title contention this season. As the business end of the season approaches, Rodgers sat down for a candid interview at Anfield to discuss his time at Liverpool. Bleacher Report publishes the following in association with Liverpool, and as an exclusive for our U.S. audience.

What do you think is the biggest thing you’ve learnt since coming to the club?

BRENDAN RODGERS: Expectation here is enormous and is something you have to fight for every single day. It’s a huge club with big expectancy, but there couldn’t be a better job out there.

You and the team have obviously given the fans some brilliant games, moments and performances since you came to the club. For you personally, what are the standout games and performances so far?

BR: Well, of course there is the first win we had, which was in the league away at Norwich. It was an excellent performance and probably typified the ideas we’d looked to implement—be creative, score goals —so that was a very good performance.

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

Obviously over the course of time, Newcastle away was a brilliant performance and result. The Everton game at home, the 4-0, was a great performance and result, and obviously Tottenham away—going away from home and scoring five at White Hart Lane having not won there for so many years. And there’s obviously the most recent in terms of Arsenal being a great victory and performance. There have been lots of great memories, but those would be the standout performances and results.

If you could pick one goal, move or piece of skill to watch on repeat from your time so far at the club, what would it be?

BR: I would probably have to look at one of Luis Suarez’s goals. He scores so many great goals and important goals for us, but the goal that stood out for me was the one against Norwich. It was his hat-trick goal where he was going through and he lifted it over to the other side, opened up his technique and drilled it in from the edge of the box.

Jon Super/Associated Press

That just typified the quality of the man, and from a nothing position it was a wonderful goal. We’ve scored many great goals over the period since I’ve been here, but that at the time I remember was a "wow" moment and a great lift for us in the game.

We’ve really seen you embrace the club’s illustrious history since you came in. How critical has that been to your plans?

BR: Well, firstly it was very important for me when I made the choice to come here to carry on some of the great work of the predecessors before me. To become the manager here at Liverpool is such a privileged position. I was truly honoured to be offered the job here and look to carry on some of the great work Kenny had started and the people before that.

A word on the fans. We now hear "There’s only one Brendan Rodgers" sung home and away at every game. What kind of feelings does that evoke inside of you?

BR: It’s a very humbling experience when you hear supporters singing your name. I always prefer for them to sing for the team and players, but I suppose it’s a sign of gratitude to the work that’s going on. I will continue to work very hard along with my staff and the people here to take the club forward as far as we possibly can. For me, there is still a long way for us to go—and hopefully the fans appreciate that we are genuinely fighting very hard, and working very honestly and loyally to the club in order for it to be the best. It’s a huge honour when they sing [my name].

You’ve been all over the world with Liverpool—Australia, America, Asia. Are you still surprised by the level of support this club has?

BR: Yes and no, I think. When you do your first Asia tour, you really recognise the sheer scale of the club—it’s just enormous. The support and how fanatical people are about the club is incredible. It just takes you back, really. Wherever you go in the world, and you find out the number of supporters this club has, it’s truly amazing. Hopefully we can continue to grow that support base by having success over these coming years.

To see Brendan Rodgers’ full interview and to hear how he's fostered team spirit amongst the squad and staff, subscribe to LFCTV GO, Liverpool FC’s new and exclusive video on—demand service that offers interviews, news, views, behind-the-scenes action, goals and footage from the latest Reds games. For more information, visit www.liverpoolfc.com/video.