Werner expects Rodgers to improve results
Liverpool expect a “strong improvement” this season from last year’s disappointing campaign, according to chairman Tom Werner.
Werner’s statement is sure to add pressure to manager Brendan Rodgers’ shoulders who failed to book an instant return to the Champions League last season.
Liverpool were thrashed 6-1 by Stoke City on the final day of last season, and with the two sides meeting again on the opening day Rodgers has an immediate chance for revenge.
The Reds have brought in big-money signings like Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke this summer in a bid to make sure they at least get back into the Champions League.
Rodgers’ position as manager remains under scrutiny, but Warner said the club owners Fenway Sports Group retained belief in the 42-year-old. That said, there was a clear warning that he must produce better results.
“We do believe Brendan is the right man for Liverpool and the right man to take the club forward,” Werner said in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.
“When we hired Brendan we wanted to see improvement.
“Hopefully when we have a conversation in a year’s time he will have demonstrated and the squad will have demonstrated that we’ve regained top form again.”
FSG backed Rodgers in the transfer market this summer and Werner added: “We had some very constructive discussions with Brendan. We learned a lot and we are very much looking forward to the start of the season because we’re a stronger team now than we were a year ago.
“Brendan was very instrumental in the transfer targets that we went after this summer. We expect we’re going to see a strong improvement.”
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