BRENDAN RODGERS INSISTS Liverpool can fight off stiff competition to secure a top-four finish next season.
The 40-year-old, who guided the Reds to seventh last term, feels his side now needs no more than a couple of additions to reach their target.
He told The Daily Mirror: “I’m not here to be comfortable, to sit and earn the money and just enjoy being Liverpool manager.
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“There’s a pressure that comes with it and I believe we’re in a much better place to challenge now. I think we can do it – I believe we have built a real good base this year. Of course, it will be a tough ask because, as we improve, other clubs will have masses more money to do so as well.
“But it’s not my job to look for excuses, I have to find the solutions to try to push us in there – and I believe we won’t be too far away.
“What we showed last season was promise. There were moments of disappointment and moments of delight, but when I look at the reality of it we scored 47 goals the year before and this time got 71 – and we hope to add to that amount.”
Spanish forward Iago Aspas is set to complete a move to Anfield from Celta Vigo at some point this week, but Rodgers does not intend to stop his summer spending there.
“Defensively, for a team that was supposed to be very strong a year earlier, we only conceded three more goals,” he added. “So in terms of numbers and performance wise we improved. Now I believe we will improve again – and we have to because we want to sustain a challenge and aim higher every season.
“We need one/two centre-halves, and I’m looking to bring 20 more goals into the team – so I’m also looking at an offensive player to give us a real threat on goal and another attacking midfield player.
“We definitely need to do that, especially if we’re going to put some young ones out on loan to gain experience.”
Rodgers: Top-4 finish the target for the Reds
BRENDAN RODGERS INSISTS Liverpool can fight off stiff competition to secure a top-four finish next season.
The 40-year-old, who guided the Reds to seventh last term, feels his side now needs no more than a couple of additions to reach their target.
He told The Daily Mirror: “I’m not here to be comfortable, to sit and earn the money and just enjoy being Liverpool manager.
“There’s a pressure that comes with it and I believe we’re in a much better place to challenge now. I think we can do it – I believe we have built a real good base this year. Of course, it will be a tough ask because, as we improve, other clubs will have masses more money to do so as well.
“But it’s not my job to look for excuses, I have to find the solutions to try to push us in there – and I believe we won’t be too far away.
“What we showed last season was promise. There were moments of disappointment and moments of delight, but when I look at the reality of it we scored 47 goals the year before and this time got 71 – and we hope to add to that amount.”
Spanish forward Iago Aspas is set to complete a move to Anfield from Celta Vigo at some point this week, but Rodgers does not intend to stop his summer spending there.
“Defensively, for a team that was supposed to be very strong a year earlier, we only conceded three more goals,” he added. “So in terms of numbers and performance wise we improved. Now I believe we will improve again – and we have to because we want to sustain a challenge and aim higher every season.
“We need one/two centre-halves, and I’m looking to bring 20 more goals into the team – so I’m also looking at an offensive player to give us a real threat on goal and another attacking midfield player.
“We definitely need to do that, especially if we’re going to put some young ones out on loan to gain experience.”
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