Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has played down talks of a Liverpool title challenge, despite the Reds winning 5-0 away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from in form Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez (2), Jordan Henderson, Jon Flanagan and Raheem Sterling earned the visitors an impressive victory at White Hart Lane, a result which condemned Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas Boas to the sack.
Liverpool now sit in a lofty 2nd place in the Premier League table, after a superb start to the season, which has seen Rodgers side mount a very realistic challenge, thanks to the superb Luis Suarez, who has been in red hot form recently, scoring 17 goals in 11 games since returning from his ban.
But Rodgers is playing down the prospect of a first league title at the club since the 1989-1990 campaign.
Rodgers went on to say…..
“We’re not even thinking about that to be honest,” he said. “We are working on our style of football going forward.
“You can be looking to finish fourth, or third or second, but eventually you want to be winning the league”.
“The year before I came it was eighth, then last season we finished seventh.
“But realistically we just have to keep fighting when you look at the depths of some of the squads.”
And Rodgers found time to heap praise on young defender Flanagan who has shone at left-back since the enforced injury absence of Jose Enrique.
“He’s a terrific boy who has played for the under-21s, in practice games with about two people watching,” he said.
“And whoever he’s up against, he doesn’t change. I thought when he came in for a few games this was a kid that can handle it.
“And since he came in and played in the derby, where he was man of the match against Everton, he’s been fantastic. His confidence has grown and grown over time.
“A young player like that, probably a couple of years ago, might not have had a chance. Or maybe someone comes in, does well for a few games then drifts away.
“So I’ve said to him, ‘just play every game as if you haven’t cracked it, go out and be the best you can be’, and that’s what he’s done.
“His goal was a brilliant finish. I’m delighted for him, he’s a real good boy and you can see how much it means for him and the supporters.”
The Reds have been in superb form infront of goal, scoring thirteen goals in three games, against Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Norwich City respectively.
Rodgers is also connfident that Luis Suarez will stay at the club, amid speculation from clubs elsewhere…..
” I have said it many times before but he is a special talent, Luis is a good man”
“He seems happy and settled in this team, at the club and in the city. The most exciting element for all of us striving to achieve success is that his best years are still ahead of him. We believe he’ll get even better.”
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1