Steven Gerrard has hailed manager Brendan Rodgers as one of the best managers in the game, reports the Daily Star.
Rodgers has seen his stock rise in the game, having led the Reds to a second place finish and a return to the Champions League in only his second season in charge at Anfield.
And despite only working together for two years, Gerrard says he sees Rodgers as up there with the best managers he has ever played under.
“Tactically he is very clever, reacts to situations, changes things for the better, see problems and adjusts things very quickly,” the Reds skipper told American station NBC.
“In the two years I have worked with him he is up there with the best of them and I’ve worked with (Rafael) Benitez, (Fabio) Capello, (Roy) Hodgson – big names.
“He can play any formation he wants to play as he knows he has the personnel and he is not scared to change formation from game to game or tinker with it as the game is going on.
“He is a players’ manager, a manager you want to work hard for and win for.
“He shows the players unbelievable respect, he treats them like his own children and creates an unbelievable atmosphere to work in.
“I have been blown away by how sharp he is in the dressing room, how quick he is to see a problem.”
After last season’s near miss in the Premier League title race, Gerrard says a trophy this season remains the priority for Rodgers and his side.
“The rule at Liverpool is quite clear. You try to win every comeptiton you enter,” he added.
“He (Rodgers) has been here for two years and I think he is desperate to get a trophy in the cabinet – that is goal number one.
“It is very important we maintain our place in the Champions League but after the journey we went on last year and the confidence we gained from it I think we are genuine title contenders as we have proved we can mix it with anyone in this league.”
