Liverpool are a far off better side from the team that crashed out of the Champions League group stage, over two months ago. This is according to Brendan Rodgers, who admitted that their poor form saw the club throw away two years of hard work that it took for them to make their return to the competition.
The Reds boss, who currently occupies seventh spot in the English Premier League with Liverpool, made these comments ahead of their Europa League round of 32 clash with Turkish giants Besiktas. The Merseyside club will be welcoming Slaven Bilic'c crew to Anfield, on Thursday.
“We are a far cry from what we were a few months back, and that was the frustration – we had put two years of hard work to get into the Champions' League, but when we got there, we didn't have our team or way of working,” Rodgers claimed.
Brendan Rodgers and Daniel Sturridge speaking to the press ahead of Liverpool vs Besiktas
“I was always hoping we could stay in there and show our real way of working, but it wasn't to be, and it was a good learning curve for us, because we hope we'll be in it for a number of years.
“Champions' League qualification is the icing on the cake, but the initial thought is wanting to win a trophy, and for me, the Europa League is a prestigious competition – and we want to win it.”
The northern Irish manager, who is yet to lift a single trophy at Liverpool, is adamant his side have a fighting chance of clinching the Europa League title this season, despite their being obstacles in the form of tight fixture schedule.
“I would never write us off in any competition, and that goes for the Europa League. It's tough playing Thursday-Sunday, but the reason we brought in so many players was to help the squad.
“We are in a good rhythm and players will tell you that when you are winning games that gives you energy.”
