The Liverpool boss revealed the he doesn’t feel that Andy Carroll has a point to prove to Liverpool.
The Reds visit West Ham United on Sunday having sold both players to the Hammers last summer, with the potential that they could return to haunt their former club and derail their title ambitions.
Rodgers claims he was loath to lose both players, but their transfers gave him the funds to improve his squad further, and praised the pair before they line up against his title challengers.
Rodgers told Liverpool’s official website, “Both players are fantastic players.
“Andy wasn’t let go from here because he wasn’t good enough. I think he’s one of the best players in Europe in how he plays, that style of attacking the ball in the air – he’s outstanding.
“Everyone knows the way I work. It was never to say Andy couldn’t work that way, but he needed to play. He’s gone on and done great for West Ham.
“Stewart Downing, like all the players in the opening few months when I arrived, it was difficult. But then he really progressed and became an important member of our team and squad by the end of the season.
“But the money we were offered for him was going to help in getting other players in and help us continue along our journey within the philosophy.
“Stewart left and has gone there and been one of their best players, if not the best player. He’s got a great left foot.”
Rodgers also added that he “did not” want to sell Stewart Downing.
Written by Steve Milne
