Former Liverpool assistant manager Steve Clarke says he believes Brendan Rodgers has been privately told he must qualify for the Champions League in his first season as Reds boss.
Rodgers took over the helm from the sacked Kenny Dalglish earlier this summer, and Clarke soon followed Dalglish out of the door when the offer of being West Brom‘s new manager was on the table.
But Clarke believes that had he and Dalglish been allowed to stay on at Anfield, they would progress Liverpool to be a top four club by the end of the coming season.
He said, “Kenny and I were pretty sure with the group of players we had, that Liverpool would be in the top four this season.
“They said top four is not imperative for the current season, but I don’t believe that.
“A club like Liverpool have to be there challenging for the top four. I don’t think they can accept anything less.”
Rodgers and Liverpool start their Premier League campaign away to Clarke’s West Brom and the Scot said he has no hard feelings for the way things ended on Merseyside.
He added, “I’ve got no grievance whatsoever with Liverpool Football Club. I had a fantastic time there and obviously after Saturday I’ll wish them well for the season.”
Fan Comments