Rodgers reveals Carragher dilemma

20 September 2012 15:51

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says leaving Jamie Carragher out of his first team has been a difficult decision to make.

Carragher will captain the Reds in their Europa League clash with Young Boys on Thursday, but Rodgers has left the veteran defender on the bench for his side's Premier League games this term.

It is a decision that the Northern Irishman describes as the 'hardest part' of his job given Carragher's standing at the club and professionalism.

"For me this is the hardest part of my job - he (Carragher) is the hardest part of my job, because every day of his life he comes in and he gives his all," Rodgers told reporters.

"He works himself to a standstill every day of his life. And guys like that I want to put in the team when it matters.

"The Europa League matters of course, but every player wants to play in the Premier League on Sunday.

"And that is the most difficult decision I have as the manager of Liverpool - seeing him every day give his life to the club as hard as he does and then not being able to give him a shirt in the starting 11 at the weekend."

Rodgers insists that he will not force the 34-year-old to retire, and has offered him a role within the backroom staff at Anfield.

"When I came in to the club, I had a real good chat with Jamie and he wasn't sure himself where he was at in terms of his career. He's been a stalwart and has been a regular until the last season, so he was wondering where he goes," Rodgers said.

"He's one of the guys whose the soul of the club and there has to be a place for someone like him. Whether he wants to do that is another thing.

"Okay, the legs may not be the same as they were six or seven years ago, but he still has a lot to contribute for me on the football field.

"His passions are for the football club, he wants what's best for the club and I enjoy working with guys like that.

"There's no doubt there's maybe that role beyond playing for him later on, but for me, what he has given me in these opening few months there is no reason he can't play on for a few more years yet.

"He's an incredible character and I can see why he has played more than 700 games for this club, because his focus and concentration into his work is phenomenal."

Downing respects Young Boys

20 September 2012 15:12

Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing has insisted the club will not underestimate Young Boys ahead of their Europa League encounter.

The Swiss side enjoyed a 3-2 win over Harry Redknapp's Tottenham - before succumbing to a 4-0 reverse in the return leg – in the Champions League play-off round in 2010, and the Reds winger has tipped his squad's younger players to prevent the Reds falling similarly foul on Thursday night.

"We saw them at the start of the season before last against Spurs and it will be a similar sort of team; they're very good at home and I'm sure they will be straight out of the blocks against us," he told the club's official website.

"We'll be ready for that and that's why it will be a big test for the young lads and why they will have to be right on the mettle from the word go.

"Obviously there are quite a few young lads here and it will be great experience for them. There are a couple of older lads who can help them along the way like me, Carra (Jamie Carragher) and Jose (Enrique). It will be a good game to play in.

"They've been around the squad, they have travelled and they know what it's all about.

"In terms of the game, I would say to them, 'go out and enjoy it'. It's a chance for them to play against some top players and to gain European experience.

"It's a different type of game to the Premier League - one they will get used to and I'm sure it will be a great experience for them."

As for himself, Downing has so far struggled to find a regular place in Brendan Rodgers' first team in the Premier League, finding himself behind the likes of youngster Raheem Sterling up front, with a left-back berth more commonly offered.

And the former Aston Villa man is hoping a good showing in Switzerland will help push his claims for future involvement.

He added: "You want to play every game. We've not got off to a great start (in the league) but we've had some tough fixtures and if there are places up for grabs, now is our chance to stake a claim and it will be another tough test for us.

"I just want to do well every game and hopefully start tonight and be in contention for the weekend."