Brendan Rodgers Discusses Carlo Ancelotti Rumours, Pressure in Liverpool Presser

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has addressed speculation that Carlo Ancelotti is being lined up to take his job and spoke of the pressure of being in charge of a club as illustrious as the Reds.

A tepid penalty-shootout win over fourth-tier Carlisle United heaped more pressure on the under-fire manager, and reports have since emerged that Ancelotti is being lined up to take over should the Northern Irishman be relieved of his duties.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

Rodgers revealed at his weekly press conference on Friday that he is not surprised there are big names being linked with the job given the team’s recent poor run of form, per Dominic King of the Daily Mail:

He also admitted there’s always an underpinning worry of losing the job but still expects to be in situ for the long term, per Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror:

"

I’m never complacent enough to think my job has never been [in danger]. At a club of this stature, you always need to be at your best. Experiences make you better as a manager.

To manage the focus and scrutiny here has been fantastic. I’ve loved every minute of it. I want to be here for a long period. I’ll prepare my team to prepare exciting dynamic football.

"

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

However, Rodgers did admit he’s unlikely to build a dynasty at the club, per Tony Barrett of the Times:

Here are Rodgers' full comments on the matter, per audioBoom.com:

Moving past this mini-crisis is going to be difficult for Rodgers, who was backed with some heavy expenditure and the arrival of a brand-new coaching staff in the summer. Still, the former Swansea City boss has revealed he’s relishing the challenge of getting this team back on track, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

Liverpool go into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa in 13th place in the Premier League, having won just two of their six matches in the division so far this season. As such, Anfield has been a little edgy in recent outings, especially against Carlisle in midweek, and it seems as though the supporters are slowly starting to turn against the incumbent boss.

But Rodgers has encouraged the supporters to get behind the team, insisting things can quickly turn around:

Poor results and even worse performances certainly haven’t escaped the attention of the club’s supporters, so you suspect the owner, Fenway Sports Group, will also be well aware of the discontent engulfing the Merseyside club.

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

The Liverpool boss stated he’s in regular contact with the club's hierarchy and that the dynamic between the two parties remains a healthy one:

If Liverpool are to grab what would be a massive win on Saturday, they’ll have to do so without some key personnel.

The Liverpool boss also gave updates on some major players who are suffering with fitness problems. Sadly for the Anfield faithful, the news wasn’t great regarding Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren, per Carl Markham of the Press Association:

However, the outlook seemed to be a lot brighter for Daniel Sturridge, who made his first start of the season against Norwich City last time out:

Rodgers is a manager who prides himself on the way his teams play, but for his own sake, a win is absolutely imperative against Villa, regardless of how it comes about. After all, another discouraging day will only serve to cultivate further angst on the Kop and push the club’s owner closer to taking decisive action.

While Villa have been struggling themselves, they do have a strong record against the Reds at Anfield, having won on three of their last six visits to the iconic stadium. If Tim Sherwood’s side can smuggle three points away again this time, it could well be Rodgers’ final match as Liverpool manager.