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Brendan Rodgers claims he is 'loving' the pressure of Liverpool's title challenge despite lack of experience

Rodgers is making his first realistic attempt to win the Premier League trophy but says he is thriving under the pressure

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 09 April 2014 17:45 BST
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Rodgers believes that Liverpool have the edge on City after their recent displays against them
Rodgers believes that Liverpool have the edge on City after their recent displays against them (Getty Images)

Brendan Rodgers is “loving” the pressure of managing at the top of the league as Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge approaches its finale.

Liverpool have not won the top flight since 1990, and are yet to secure their first ever Premier League trophy, but Rodgers’ tactical genius of introducing an entertaining brand of football at Anfield combined with the red hot form of strikers Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge has seen the Reds rise to the top of the table.

They entertain the closest rivals to their first crown in 24 years this weekend as they host Manchester City on Sunday in what will be a pivotal fixture in the race for glory. With Chelsea also yet to visit Merseyside to take on Rodgers’ side, this year’s title looks set to be largely decided by matters at Anfield.

Rodgers could be forgiven for feeling the pressure in what is his first tilt at the top flight, but instead the Northern Irishman claims he is thriving under it.

“I'm loving every minute of it,” he told the Daily Star.

“This is brilliant. I may not have been in this position before, but I have been in football a long time.

“This is only my fifth year as a manager, but I've been stood on the touchline coaching for 20 years. I'm really enjoying seeing us develop."

While Rodgers doesn't have as much experience in battling for silverware as his rivals Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini, he certainly feels the expectation that comes with leading a club so used to winning in the past.

“When you play and work for a club like Liverpool, there's pressure every day of your life," he added.

“I walk past the European Cup every day when I come into the training ground. That can be pressure, but only if you let it be pressure.

“We've worked hard all season to be in this position. Now we're there, we're going to fight and work even harder.

“I've been through much worse things in my life than being in the title race at the top of the Premier League. It's insignificant in terms of some psychological things which have gone on.”

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